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

1927–1930 French postal almanac with gaps❦ Almanach des postes et des télégraphes 1927 à 1930 lot et Garonne

Atmospheric Phenomena Explained❦ météo LES PHENOMENES DE L’ATMOSPHERE

German Grammar 1792❦ Deutsche Sprachlehre 1792

Julien Green’s Early Diaries 1928–1950❦ Julien Green Journal 1928-1950

Maurice Fourré: The Definitive Dreamer❦ Maurice Fourré, rêveur définitif ..le caméléon mystique

Fridtjof Nansen’s Arctic expedition account❦ NANSEN In Nacht und Eis. Die Norwegische Polarexpedition 1897

Duby (Georges) The Middle Ages in Europe. Romanesque Art, Gothic Art❦ Duby (Georges) L’Europe au Moyen Age. Art roman, art gothique

Balzac’s Comic Adventures in Louis XIII’s Era❦ Balzac Aventures du Grand Balzac Histoire Comique du temps de Louis XIII LACROIX

1975 Skira Annual on Contemporary Art❦ Art actuel. Skira annuel 1975

Barbey d'Aurevilly's dark novella❦ BARBEY. Une Histoire sans nom. LEMERRE 1882 EO

Critique of Materialism by Bergier (1771)❦ BERGIER Examen du matérialisme ou réfutation du système de la nature. 1771

Neolithic Syria: Archaeological Ethnography of Tell Sabi Abyad❦ Syria Archaeological Ethnography of a Neolithic Community

Luxury hunting encyclopedia with rare illustrations❦ Chasse de Boilambert Le grand livre de la chasse et de la nature

Benjamin Péret’s Myths & Legends of the Americas❦ PERET Benjamin Anthologie des mythes et légendes et contes populaires d’Amérique

François Villon’s poetic legacy in modern edition❦ VILLON FRANCOIS. (1431-APRES 1463). LES DEUX TESTAMENTS Y.Brayer

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