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

Early 19th-century French lexicographical masterpiece❦ LANDAIS Dictionnaire général et grammatical des dictionnaires françaises 1834 EO

Exploring Ottoman Attire❦ Ottoman costume book 1986 Turquie

Ornate Tales of an Elder Sister❦ ZIER LES RÈCITS D’UNE SOEUR AINÈE

Eroticism in 1903 Parisian Society❦ érotisme PIERRE GUEDY Pierre Guédy Marie-Eve 1903

Jules Verne Collection Catalogue from Nantes Museum❦ Verne Catalogue du fonds Jules Verne NANTES

Nicolas Régnier: Painter, Collector, Art Dealer (1588–1667)❦ Nicolas Régnier ca 1588 – 1667 Peintre, collectionneur, marchand d’art

Eve the Blonde by Lise Deharme❦ Deharme (Lise). Eve la blonde

19th-century French flora in illustrated percaline binding❦ Carnoy Henri & de Chovin ( Illus ) Hans Mertens

Indonesian Art in 1901: Colonial Exhibition Portfolio❦ Indonesian Art. Selected Specimens of Ancient and Modern Art…1901

Historical critique of Mary Stuart's trial evidence❦ Recherches historiques et critiques sur les principales preuve Marie Stuart 1772

19th-century global costumes with historical notes❦ COSTUMES CIVILS DE TOUS LES PEUPLES, avec une notice historique 1837

Vitrac’s Complete Poetry: Dés-lyre❦ VITRAC (Roger). Dés-lyre. Poésies complètes…

Surrealism Between the Two Wars❦ Breton (André) Situation du Surréalisme entre les deux guerres PRE-ORIGINAL

Letters to a Friend by Jules Romains❦ JULES ROMAINS lettres à un ami + dédicace

Ice Sowers: Rare 1903 Adventure Novel with Stunning Illustrations❦ Ivoi, Paul Les Semeurs de Glace

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