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

Papal history from St. Peter to Clement XII❦ Abrégé de l’histoire des papes, depuis St. Pierre jusqu’à Clément XII 1739

Georges Lecomte: Manuscript Cards & Letter on Literary Society Presidency❦ André Magre PRESIDENCE 4 cartes manuscrites & lettre

Secret correspondence of Chancellor Maupeou, 1783❦ Maupeou Sorhouet Maupeouana, ou Correspondance secrette 1783

Night Worker - First Edition with Author Inscription❦ Clavel, Bernard L’Ouvrier de la nuit + dédicace

English Manuscript Illumination, 14th-15th Centuries❦ miniature anglaise au XIVe et XVe siècle 1928

Brewing barley improvement studies❦ Brasserie Études sur l’amélioration des crûs d’orges de brasserie

Automotive Guide 1910 No. 118❦ Auto pratique automobile 1910 n°118

Shiatzy Chen: Fusion of East and West❦ Shiatzy Chen New York, Assouline

Moral Tales by Marmontel, 1829❦ MARMONTEL CONTES MORAUX 1829

Almanac of Three Impostures 1925❦ TOULET Paul.-Jean LES TROIS IMPOSTURES ALMANACH 1925

Art and Heliogravures from Normandy❦ Normandie HUARD L’Art en Normandie SUPERBES HELIOGRAVURES

Mozart’s Don Giovanni through Béjart’s lens❦ Don Giovanni. Mozart – Béjart

Verhaeren’s sovereign rhythms with author’s dedication❦ VERHAEREN, Emile; LES RYTHMES SOUVERAINS + dédicace

Thi-Bâ: A Vietnamese Girl's Story❦ Indo THI-BÂ FILLE D’ANNAM JEAN D’ESME

Hashish and Opium Night❦ MAGRE (Maurice) La nuit de haschich et d’opium S.P.

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