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

18th Century Engraving of a Sheep❦ Guerdgi Albanois qui porte au Bezestein des Foyes de Mouton pour nourrir les cha

Biography of Madame Roland with author's inscription❦ Vie de Madame Roland + dédicace

Eure Department: 25 Architectural Plans by Ameline❦ Eure. Collection des 25 plans de F. Ameline 1927

Fantastical Comedy in Four Acts❦ Mon Oncle Barbassou, comédie fantaisiste en 4 actes, par Emile Blavet et carré

Memoirs of a Parrot❦ NOURY (Pierre) Mémoires d’un perroquet

Political and Literary Annals, First Half 1900❦ ANNALES POLITIQUES ET LITTERAIRES 1900 1 er semestre

A Humorous Tale with Colored Illustrations❦ MAURIAC FRANCOIS LE DROLE ill-Charléty

French Road Network Map, Belle Époque Edition❦ Routes de France: Novelle carte postale de la république

Spanish and Portuguese Queens - Historical Portraits❦ ESPAGNE CELLIEZ . Les Reines d’Espagne

Rare Books Collection Catalog❦ Barthou BIBLIOTHEQUE de M. LOUIS BARTHOU. Première partie

René Bazin’s 19th-century rural tale❦ Bazin Stéphanette

Surrealist manifesto in blank page❦ SURREALISME la brèche

Massillon’s Oratory Masterpieces❦ Massillon Les chefs-d’oeuvre oratoires de Massillon 1859

Paris in 1915: A Year in Review❦ PARIS Tout paris 1915

Crossword Enthusiast’s 1950s Guidebook❦ mots croisés VADE MECUM ET VADE RETRO DE L’AMATEUR DE MOTS CROISES

📦 We ship antiquarian books worldwide

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