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

Major Scientific Inventions Overview❦ FIGUIER LES GRANDES INVENTIONS ANCIENNES ET MODERNES DANS LES SCIENCES 1865

Paris and Environs: 204 Picturesque Engraved Views❦ Paris and its Environs Displayed in a Series of Picturesque Views

You and I: A Luxury Edition with André Marty's Illustrations❦ Géraldy Toi et moi. Illustr- Marty 1 des 200 sur crèvecoeur

Novel about Empress Catherine II❦ Waliszewski Roman (Le) d’une impératrice Catherine II de Russie

The Jewish Condition in Metz❦ METZ la condition des juifs de Metz sous l’ancien régime 1903

French biographical directory 1959-1960❦ Who`s Who in France (4e édition). Dictionnaire biographique 1959-1960

Stories, Novels, Satires – Illustrated Edition❦ GIDE (André) Récits, Romans, Soties. Edition illustrée

Comprehensive Atlas of France 1877❦ Atlas national France générale 1877

Artistic and documentary review of rare and modern books❦ bibliophile Revue artistique et documentaire du livre ancien et moderne 1931-33

Voltaire's Novels - Complete Edition❦ Voltaire Romans 1821 sur vélin

Allegorical Poetry and Moral Elegies❦ Lusus poetici allegorici, sive elegiae oblectandis 1754

The Cavalier by Gisèle Prassinos❦ PRASSINOS (Gisèle). Le Cavalier

Toulet’s whimsical 1920s fantasy❦ TOULET COMME UNE FANTAISIE 1920

Collection of Joyful and Popular French Songs❦ TRESOR DES CHANSONS JOYEUSES ET POPULAIRES

Beautiful Autographed Letter❦ Louis Madelin Lettre autographe manuscrite

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