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

Edouard Detaille 1890 Autograph Letter❦ Edouard Detaille 1890 Lettre autographe

Poetry for bedside reading: two Parisian works❦ Ici-bas- Au dela Chevet

Venetian Engravers of the 18th Century in the Mancel Collection❦ graveurs de Venise au XVIIIè siècle dans la collection Mancel

Mirabeau’s critique of despotism (1776)❦ MIRABEAU Essai sur le despotisme 1776

18th-Century French History in 14 Volumes❦ Lacretelle Histoire de France pendant le dix-huitième siècle

Early English Mezzotints: A 1910-11 Special Issue❦ LES VIEUX MEZZOTINTES ANGLAIS. Numéro spécial du “Studio” hiver 1910-11

Mercure de France, 1916 issue with Apollinaire❦ Mercure de France, n°427 1916 Apollinaire…

Aerial exploration over Africa❦ Danrit Capitaine. AU DESSUS DU CONTINENT NOIR

La Bruyère’s Characters, 1832 Miniature Edition❦ La Bruyère les caractères 1832 mini

Mountain Adventure and Alpine Climbing❦ Montagne CHARLET L’Appel de la Montagne 1938

Two Unpublished Comedies by Bernard and Rabier-Labiche❦ Tristan BERNARD RABIER-LABICHE Deux comédies inédites Coeur de bronze leçon de

BALZAC’s Ferragus illustrated with Berg’s etchings❦ BALZAC ferragus Pointes-sèches de R.Berg Vélin teinté vert pâle

Lucien Gougy Library Auction Catalog, Part III❦ Bibliothèque de M. Lucien Gougy, ancien libraire 1934

Turkish Ceramics - Palace and Mosque Tiles❦ Turkish Ceramics

Revocation of the Edict of Nantes❦ KLOSSOWSKI. La révocation de l’Édit de Nantes. Édition originale

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