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

Livingstone and African Exploration❦ Livingstone et l’exploration de l’Afrique

Elementary Chemistry Treatise with Thermochemistry❦ chimie Troost Traité élémentaire de chimie 1884

Arms through the Ages: A 19th-Century Illustrated Guide❦ arme MAINDRON 1890 LES ARMES

New York’s Underworld in the 1950s❦ GROUEFF stephane – LAPIERRE dominique LES CAIDS DE NEW YORK

Music Criticism from the 19th Century❦ SCUDO L’art ancien et l’Art moderne

Arabia Phoenix: Ibn Saud’s Arabia❦ Arabia DE GAURY Arabia Phoenix. An Account of a Visit to Ibn Saud Chieftain

Jin Ping Mei: Ming Dynasty Classic in Pléiade Edition❦ Curiosa LANLING XIAOXIAO SHENG Pléiade – Fleur en fiole d’or

Verlaine’s Posthumous Travelogue of France❦ Verlaine Voyage en France par un Français 1907

Merimée on Oil Painting Techniques❦ MERIMEE J.F.L. DE LA PEINTURE A L’HUILE

Rouen’s Architectural Heritage❦ Rouen et ses monuments

Natural History of Simple Drugs, 1876❦ Drogues Histoire naturelle des drogues simples 1876

Romain Rolland’s Revolutionary Play on Bastille Day❦ Rolland Romain Le 14 Juillet, Action Populaire Cahiers De La Quinzaine

The Erl-King: A Goncourt Prize Novel❦ Tournier (Michel). Le Roi des aulnes 1970

Auguste Lumière: A Life of Innovation❦ La Vie laborieuse et féconde d’Auguste Lumière.

Mirabeau’s Erotic Works Annotated by Apollinaire❦ APOLLINAIRE L’Oeuvre du Comte de Mirabeau 1910 EO

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