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

RENOIR by Michel Drucker (1944)❦ RENOIR Drucker 1944

Heroes of Labor: Illustrated Biographies❦ Héros du travail Tissandier

Surrealism in Cinema: Man Ray & Kyrou❦ Cinéma – Surréalisme – Man Ray – Jean Ferry. Le Surréalisme au Cinéma Kyrou

Victorian-era children’s novel with charming illustrations❦ Hetzel Les mésaventures de Jean-Paul Choppart Hetzel

Napoleonic Wars Illustrated Atlas❦ Panckoucke Victoires, conquêtes, désastres, revers et guerres

Boutelleau’s Fetishes with Author’s Inscription❦ BOUTELLEAU GERARD LES FETICHES + dédicace

Amphitryon 38 by Giraudoux❦ GIRAUDOUX (Jean) Amphitryon 38 S.P.

Barbey d'Aurevilly: Religious & Political Thinkers❦ Barbey d’Aurevilly Philosophes et écrivains religieux et politiques 1909

Moral Tales for Youth by Bouilly, 1830❦ Bouilly LE PORTEFEUILLE DE LA JEUNESSE OU LA MORALE DE L’HISTOIRE 1830

Typed letter signed by Robert de Flers❦ Robert de Flers lettre tapuscrite signée

A Modern Godson❦ HERMANT Abel Un filleul d’aujourd’hui

Ninon de Lenclos' Authentic Letters, 1886❦ COLOMBEY CORRESPONDANCE AUTHENTIQUE DE NINON DE LENCLOS 1886

The Hunt for the Snark and Other Works❦ Lewis Carroll La chasse au Snark suivi de Fantasmagorie et de Poeta…

Gardens and Landscapes of Hauts-de-Seine❦ Jardins et Paysages des Hauts-de-Seine

Contemporary Aboriginal Art from Global Indigenous Cultures❦ Aboriginality: Contemporary Aboriginal Paintings & Prints

📦 We ship antiquarian books worldwide

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