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

Comprehensive Guide to North American Wildfowl Decoys❦ Bird Great Book of Wildfowl Decoys

Jean Restout’s life and works at Rouen’s Fine Arts Museum❦ Restout (1692-1768) Musée des Beaux Arts de Rouen

René Clair’s Academy Reception Speech 1962❦ CLAIR René Discours prononcés dans la séance publique tenue à l’Académie françai

Adventure novel adapted for young readers❦ LE PILOTE de Feminore Cooper,

Monthly Review of the Touring Club of France 1896-1897❦ REVUE Mensuelle du Touring-Club de France 1896-1897

Mexican Museum of the People❦ Mexique Musée du Peuple Mexicain

Comprehensive French history with illustrations❦ Histoire de France depuis les temps les plus anciens jusqu’à… 1859

Athens Schoolboy: A Classic College Life Illustrated❦ LAURIE André. Illustré par George ROUX. L’Écolier d’Athènes HETZEL

Rare 19th-century documents on Le Havre's founding❦ LE HAVRE Documents relatifs à la fondation du Havre 1875

1858 Indian Uprising Illustrated❦ INDE Insurrection de l’Inde 1858

Gardens of Madness: A Journey Through Garden Worlds❦ jardin De Folie en Folies : La Decouverte du monde des jardins

1882 Administrative Directory of Calvados❦ Annuaire administratif du département du Calvados 1882

The Fair Maid of Perth by Walter Scott (1829)❦ WALTER SCOTT La jolie fille de Perth 1829

Kama Sutra & Eastern Love Arts, 1912❦ érotique Le livre d’amour de l’Orient 1912

Gainsborough’s Role in the English School❦ Gainsborough et sa place dans l’école anglaise 1889

📦 We ship antiquarian books worldwide

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