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

Sinai Peninsula 1951: Rare Automobile Club Expedition❦ EGYPTE péninsule du Sinaï Daumas-Abbas Halim-Royal Automobile Club d’Egypte 1951

History of mountaineering❦ Alpin Frison-Roche et Sylvain Jouty Histoire de l’alpinisme

Henri Langlois’ Cinema Museum: A Visual History❦ CINEMA musée du cinéma Henri Langlois

19th Century Book Illustrations❦ LES ILLUSTRATIONS DU XIXe SIECLE

1908 French illustrated elegance❦ élégante ILLUSTRATEUR 1908

Spain: A Musical Journey Through Time and Space❦ Espagne HISTOIRE UNIVERSELLE DE LA MUSIQUE, ESPAGNE, VOYAGE MUSIQUE

Pharmacist’s WWI memoirs by Franck Guichard❦ pharmacien Mémoires de Franck Guichard 14-18 pharmacien général C.R 1894-1970

1944 Astronomical Almanac by Bureau des Longitudes❦ longitudes annuaire pour l’an 1944 publié par le bureau des longitudes

Stendhal and England: A Critical Study❦ Stendhal et l’Angleterre. Préface de M. Ad. Paupe

Etiquette Guide for the 1950s❦ Savoir vivre TRAITE DE COURTOISIE

Genealogy: Tracing 160 celebrities' roots❦ généalogie A la découverte de leurs racines

Marin Pêcheur by Jean-Pierre Duval❦ Marin Pêcheur 2008 PP. d’Arvor

Pierre Brisson: Journalist, Writer, Man❦ journaliste Pierre Brisson Le journaliste, l’écrivain, l’homme

The Lotus of the Ganges by Prosper Castanier❦ CASTANIER (Prosper) Le Lotus du Gange. Illustrations de MARODON

Music primer for enthusiasts 1935❦ Musique L’initiation à la musique Amateurs de Musique et de Radio 1935

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