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

Renault 16 Owner’s Manual 1967❦ Renault 16 conduite et entretien 1967

Le coucou by Félicien Champsaur (1906)❦ Champsaur Félicien Le coucou 1905

Chateaubriand’s Complete Works, Rare 1826-31 Edition❦ CHATEAUBRIAND Oeuvres complètes Ladvocat 1826 EO

Rome in Visions by Camille Mauclair❦ ROME Mauclair Camille Visions de Rome Alpina 1939

Certosa di Pavia: Splendor, Enchantment, Power❦ CERTOSA DI PAVIA – Regalis carthusia: Lo sguardo, l’incanto, il potere 1996

French Georgics and Gardens poem❦ VIRGILE LILLE Abbé de OEUVRES DE L’ABBE DE LILLE contenant les GEORGIQUES DE VIR

Military School Chapels and Religious Life in the Royal Palace❦ Chapelles de l’École militaire. et la vie religieuse dans l’ancien hotel royale

Restoration Era Memoirs❦ NETTEMENT Alfred Souvenirs de la Restauration 1876

The Art of Beauty: Women's Guide❦ Femme l’art d’être belle 1902

Paris by district: historic and monumental survey❦ Paris – Album Historique et Monumental

Dictionary of Sciences and Arts with Historical Tables❦ LUNIER Dictionnaire des Sciences et des Arts…

Fables Illustrated with Narrative❦ les fables en action 1836

Open Letter to the President of the Republic❦ Poniatowski Michel Lettre Ouverte au President de La Republique

A Twenty-Franc Coin Becomes a Penny❦ Pierre ou comment une pièce de vingt francs peut devenir un sou 1871

Djenné: A Thousand-Year-Old City in Mali❦ Djenné. Une ville millénaire au Mali

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