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

A tale of Paris by Guitry❦ Guitry Si Paris nous était conté…1956

A tragic tale in early 20th-century Paris❦ Carlègle une histoire qui finit mal

1911 Almanac of La Dépêche❦ ALMANACH DE LA DEPECHE, 42e ANNEE, 1911

Chantilly Castle: History & Collections❦ Chantilly de Broglie Raoul Chantilly – Histoire du château et de ses collections

Louis XV Rococo: Origins & Evolution❦ style Louis XV origine et évolution du Rococo

Lourdes around 1890 with dedications❦ LOURDES vers 1890 dédicaces de Jules COMTE directeur des batiments

Paris from Seine to Cité Universitaire: Saint-Jacques Quarter❦ Paris de la Seine à la Cité universitaire. Le Quartier Saint-Jacques

Jacques de Bellange: Masterpieces at Rennes Museum❦ BELLANGE (Jacques de) Jacques de Bellange Musée des Beaux-Arts Rennes

Children’s patriotic tales with illustrations❦ CERE LES PETITS PATRIOTES, illustrations de P. Kauffmann et P. Sellier

1945 Armagnac Guide Map of France❦ armagnac Carte guide 1945 de l’Armagnac collection des cartes de la France 50×80

Man and Bear: A Cultural Exploration❦ ours Homme et l’ours

Bitru and His Companions' Feasts❦ PARAZ, Albert Les Repues franches de Bitru et de ses compagnons, roman

Selected Works of Le Brun (1821)❦ LE BRUN (Ponce-Denis Ecouchard). Oeuvres choisies de Le Brun 1821

Louis XVI’s reign and martyrdom in four rare works❦ Louis XVI a son auguste et respectable frère Louis XVIII…le triomphe de la…

A century-spanning bookbinding history❦ Reliure Dix siècles de reliure

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