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

History of Nantes’ Last Great Sailers❦ Voiliers derniers grands voiliers. Histoire des longs-courriers nantais…

Mantes through two centuries of history❦ Mantes et Mantes la ville de 1789 à nos jours

The House of Living Men❦ FARRERE Claude LA MAISON DES HOMMES VIVANTS

Sculptor's Studio Study, 1752❦ Etude d’un modèle, atelier du sculpteur 52 x 40 cm., 1752

Theoretical and Practical Treatise on Soil Amendments and Fertilizers❦ Traité théorique et pratique des amendements et des engrais…

Prayssas - Villeneuve Avenue❦ Prayssas avenue de Villeneuve

Complete Works in Compact Two-Volume Edition❦ ROUSSEAU Oeuvres complètes en 2 vol.1826 petite typographie

Freshwater fish and crustaceans of New Caledonia❦ Atlas des poissons et des crustacés d’eau douce de Nouvelle-Calédonie

Portrait of a Pathetic Soul❦ GIRAUDOUX Simon le Pathétique. Portrait gravé sur bois par Robert Bonfils

Criminal proceedings examination regarding the Duke of Bourbon's death❦ Bourbon Examen de la procédure criminelle instruite à Saint-Leu, à Pontoise 1832

The Madness of King Charles VI❦ LA PASSION D’UN ROI : CHARLES VI. LE FOL ( 1368-1422 ).

Stevenson's Literary Calling and Life Purpose❦ Vocation de Robert-Louis Stevenson

Chouannerie: Whites Against Blues 1790-1800❦ Révolution CHARLES LE GOFFIC LA CHOUANNERIE – BLANCS CONTRE BLEUS 1790-1800

Charming edition of La Henriad❦ FOUGERET DE MONGERON LA HENRIADE TRAVESTI 1825

Unpublished Letters on French Politics and Literature 1806-1807❦ LETTRES INEDITES DE L’ABBE MORELLET histoire politique et littéraire 1806-1807

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