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

Péguy’s Prayers and Thoughts in Hermetical Binding❦ Péguy PRIERES/PENSEES Gallimard, reliure herpétologique

Julien Benda’s philosophical critique of democracy❦ BENDA JULIEN LA GRANDE EPREUVE DES DEMOCRATIES

Dance in Theater: Aesthetics and Trends (1924)❦ danse au théâtre Esthétique et actualités mêlées 1924

Shakespeare’s Complete Works in Fine Leather Binding❦ William Shakespeare The Works of William Shakespeare London: Frederick Warne…

Hernia bandages through history and modern techniques (1899)❦ Bandage Herniaire. Autrefois Aujourd’hui 1899

A Lieutenant Under Louis XIV❦ Lieutenant de louis XIV

The Wreck Keeper's Family Under the Third Republic❦ FRANCIS Robert Le gardien d’épaves H. d’une famille sous la 3ème rep.

Moral Theology Summa by Thomas Aquinas (1671)❦ Thomas Summa theologiae moralis doctoris angelici 1671

Polish Tales of an Aged Nobleman❦ Pologne Mickiewicz, Ladislas Les Récits D’un Vieux Gentilhomme Polonais

Literary and moral essays on famous women❦ Causeries littéraires et morales sur quelques Femmes célèbres :1837

Daumier: A Retrospective of His Genius❦ Honoré Daumier, 1808 -1879

MUSSET’s Romantic Tales: Mimi Pinson & More❦ MUSSET Mimi Pinson. Le secret de Javotte. Margot. Histoire d’un merle blanc

Dictionary of Detective Fiction 1841–2005❦ Tulard Jean Dictionnaire du roman policier 1841-2005

Shakespeare’s actor friend recalled❦ CHAMBRUN Longworth Mon grand ami Shakespeare, souvenirs de John Lacy + dédicace

Race of Men by Jacques Audiberti❦ AUDIBERTI Jacques Race des hommes + dédicace

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