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

Flemish Art: Ensor to Permeke❦ L’art flamand d’Ensor à Permeke

Complete 1913–1918 18th-century scholarly journal❦ XVIIIe siècle Société du XVIIIe siècle Revue du dix-huitième siècle (complète)

Homage to Fulgence Bienvenüe, Metro Pioneer❦ Métro BIENVENÜE (Fulgence) – A la mémoire de Fulgence Bienvenüe, inspecteur gal

19th-century encyclopedia of arts, industry & agriculture❦ LABOULAYE Dictionnaire des Arts et Manufactures et de l’Agriculte 1874

Demonic Possessions in the 19th Century❦ POSSESSIONS DIABOLIQUES

Illustrated classic Victorian novel❦ David Copperfield Charles Dickens

Primary Education General Manual, 1886❦ Ecole MANUEL GENERAL DE L’INSTRUCTION PRIMAIRE 1886

The Blind Kings❦ KESSEL J. ISWOLSKY, H. Les rois aveugles

Meissonier: Three Centuries of History❦ Meissonier, trois siècles d’histoire

Noble women's tales and historical dramas❦ Nyon Les nobles filles

1885 Collector’s Guide to Artisans & Crafts❦ collection Livre des Collectionneurs 1885

Tales of Yesteryear - The Wineless Well Tavern❦ MORIN Louis Histoires d’autrefois Le Cabaret du Puits-sans-vin

Art as victim of war: fate of artworks in Aquitaine❦ art victime de la guerre destin des oeuvres d’art en Aquitaine pendant la guerre

Scholarly study of the Virgin Mary's iconography and relics❦ Sainte Vierge. Etudes archéologiques et iconographiques 1878

Lace Styles: Visual Guide to 15th-16th Century Evolution❦ Rouveyre, Edouard COMMENT DISCERNER LES STYLES La dentelle..

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