Question 1

How do you authenticate an antiquarian book before purchase?

Accepted Answer

Every La Librairie Antique listing explicitly mentions the first edition status (E.O. or 1st edition), print run, publication date (colophon), binding type (leather, parchment, gilding), format (12mo, folio, etc.), and detailed condition (foxing, dampstains, repairs if any). We provide multiple high-resolution photos. For items above 500 EUR, a provenance certificate is included when available.

Question 2

Do you ship to the United States? Will I pay import duties?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Antiquarian books ship duty-free to the USA under HTS code 9903.01.31 ("informational materials" exception, still valid after the August 2025 de-minimis suspension). Delivery: 7-12 days via Colissimo International tracked, 3-5 days via DHL Express. State sales tax may apply depending on your state (typically 0-9%).

Question 3

What payment methods do you accept from international buyers?

Accepted Answer

All major credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, JCB), PayPal with Buyer Protection (recommended for non-EU customers), SEPA bank transfer for Europe, and SWIFT international wire for orders above 2000 EUR. Stripe-secured checkout (PCI-DSS Level 1).

Question 4

What is your return policy?

Accepted Answer

30-day return window for international buyers. Full refund (including return shipping) if the book does not match our description. Convenience returns: buyer covers return postage, refund issued upon receipt of the book in its original condition.

Question 5

How can I verify a first edition?

Accepted Answer

A first edition (often abbreviated E.O. in French) is the first published version of a work. Identifiers: print run statement at the front/back, colophon date, paper and format specifications, reference bibliographies (Vicaire, Carteret for French literature, Sadleir for 19th century English literature). Every listing mentions first edition status explicitly when applicable.

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Our Antiquarian Books Catalog

Voltaire’s Witty Epistles in Rare Edition❦ Curiosa VOLTAIRE Epitres badines

Henry Bataille autograph letter to Fernand Gregh❦ Henry Bataille belle lettre autographe signée

Customs and Smuggling 1992❦ Douane et contrebande 1992

Magnier’s 'En joue ! feu!' with Ballot illustrations❦ Magnier. En joue ! feu ! illustré par Ballot

Malte-Brun’s 19th-century universal geography atlas❦ MALTE-BRUN Géographie Universelle. Atlas…

Pope Biographies Dictionary❦ Pape Gobry Ivan Dictionnaire des papes

Christians of the Orient in 1929❦ CHRETIENS D’ORIENT 1929

Louis Veuillot’s 1875 illustrated study of Christ❦ Jesus-Christ 1875

Prussia under Frederick William II: Political Europe 1786–1796❦ Allemagne Segur Histoire des principaux événemens du Règne de F. Guillaume II

François NouriSSIER’s Orphans of Auteuil with dedication❦ NOURISSIER (François) Les orphelins d’Auteuil + dédicace

Renzo Piano: Architecture 1984–1986❦ Renzo Piano : Projets et achitecture 1984-1986

Louis Veuillot’s venomous satire on society❦ VEUILLOT LOUIS. LES COULEUVRES 1869

Barreme’s Practical Accounting in Francs and Centimes❦ BARREME Comptes faits de Barreme en Francs et Centimes…75 x 130 mm.

Van Houten drawing album with chocolate theme❦ chocolat album van Houten pour apprendre le dessin 140 x 100 mm.

Chambery’s France in sumptuous binding❦ Chambery Portrait de la France

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