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

De Gaulle, France and its Army❦ DE GAULLE LA FRANCE ET SON ARMEE 1945

Soliloquies, Manual and Meditations of Saint Augustine❦ SAINT-AUGUSTIN Les Soliloques, le Manuel, et les Méditations de S. Augustin 1725

Ballet dancers in motion, photographed 1938❦ Dance BALLET IN ACTION 1938

A Gentleman's Portfolio of Leisure Writings❦ Mini essai de mes loisirs ou porte-feuille d’un homme de bien 1780

Arabella: Thirty Years of English History❦ Angleterre ARABELLA OU TRENTE ANS DE L HISTOIRE D ANGLETERRE

Tang Pottery: History and Techniques❦ poterie T’ang Arts et métiers graphiques, 1960

Medical Train Chronicles: Two Years Service❦ train rouge : deux ans en train sanitaire Albert Bessières. 1917

Sentimental Jewelry from Renaissance to Modern Times❦ BIJOU Grand frisson – Le bijou de sentiment de la Renaissance à nos jours

Victorian novel with refined illustrations❦ DICKENS DAVID COPPERFIELD. ILLUSTRATIONS DE BERTHOLD MAHN

30th International Eucharistic Congress, Carthage 1930❦ Tunisie CONGRES EUCHARISTIQUE XXXe Congrès Eucharistique International 1930

Omani Ceramics and Central Asia: Bronze Age Trade❦ céramiques d’Oman et l’Asie moyenne. Une archéologie des échanges

Original edition signed by the artist❦ EFFEL (Jean) La création de l’homme Le roman d’Adam et Eve + dédicace

Fanny’s Sensual Adventures❦ Erotique FANNY- OU LA VERIDIQUE HISTOIRE DES AVENTURES DE FANNY TROUSSECOTTES

Montesquieu’s Political Works in 3 Volumes (1827)❦ MONTESQUIEU OEUVRES DE MONTESQUIEU 1827

Sainte-Beuve’s literary evenings in Agen❦ SAINTE-BEUVE C.A. CINQ LUNDIS AGENAIS 1941

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