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

Anatole France’s whimsical trilogy on vellum❦ FRANCE Anatole ex. sur vélin du Marais Balthasar. L’anneau d’Améthyste. Hist..

Ivanov’s Meeting with Gorky❦ Ivanov Vsevolod Rencontre avec Gorki Traduit du russe

Hunting Mammals Overview❦ Gibier Cherville Les quadrupèdes de la chasse

Rural artifacts and old trades❦ campagne Les objets de nos campagnes

Victor Hugo’s Literary Depiction of the Sea❦ HUGO La Mer dans l’Oeuvre littéraire de Victor Hugo

Japanese Avant-Garde Art 1910–1970❦ Japon des Avant Gardes 1910 1970

1890 Gascony & Languedoc travel guide❦ GASCOGNE ITINERAIRE GENERAL DE LA FRANCE – GASCOGNE ET LANGUEDOC 1890

18th-century French poetic anthology❦ Trésor du Parnasse, 1762

1933 Cavalry Manual: Chassis Techniques for Armored Vehicles❦ Cavalerie cours de technique automobile 1933 Section chars

1819 French botanical work with nine engravings❦ BITAUBE (Paul) JOSEPH 1819

Gavarni’s Parisian life in 100 lithographs❦ Gavarni Par-ci, par-la et physionomies parisiennes 100 sujets

Letters from an Unknown, 1874❦ Lettres de l’inconnue Alphonse Lemerre, Paris 1874 in 8°

Ronsard’s Amours by Gibert Jeune 1949❦ RONSARD Les amours GIBERT JEUNE 1949

The Phantom Balloon by Robida and Gachons❦ Robida LE BALLON FANTÔME Gachons

Illustrated edition of Gargantua❦ RABELAIS François – PINSON (illustrations) Gargantua

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