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

Liebig: Fire, Water, Leather, Ivory, Coal❦ Liebig das Feuer das Wasser Das Leder, Das Elfenbein, Die Kohle

Draguignan, place des Portaiguières x 2❦ Draguignan place des Portaiguières x 2

Ligny-en-Barrois MEUSE rue Leroux

Plaisance-du-Gers, banks of the Arros, Gers❦ Plaisance du Gers bords de l’Arros 32

Habas 44 rue centrale

Sénégal courses de Rufisque 1903

madagascar ?? to be identified Fine Photograph Postcard 1905❦ madagascar ?? à identifier Belle Photo-carte 1905

Sénégal lessive au bord du Sénégal 1903

Senegal Djogountouro village on the Senegal 1907❦ Sénégal djogountouro village sur le Sénégal 1907

SAGAIE indigenous of French Congo GUERRIERS❦ SAGAIE indigènes du Congo français GUERRIERS

Saint-Georges de Rouelley 50 MANCHE

Dentist Child – 4 postcards – Baby Dentist – 1902❦ Enfant dentiste 4 carte-postales dentiste Bébé Dentiste 1902

Villefranche-sur-Mer general view❦ VILLEFRANCHE SUR MER vue général

Japanese Map, circa 1913❦ Japon Carte japonaise vers 1913

Madagascar Tannanarive woman Batsimisaraka❦ Madagascar Tannanarive femme Batsimisaraka

📦 We ship antiquarian books worldwide

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