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

Stendhal’s Complete Works: Volume on Napoleon❦ STENDHAL Volume XVII. Napoléon

Three Apprentices of Moon Street❦ MONTORGUEIL Les trois apprentis de la rue de la lune

Undersea explorations of the 'Travailleur' and 'Talisman'❦ Marine Sous les mers campagnes d’explorations du “Trvailleur & du talisman

Enguerrande: A dramatic poem with Rodin's sculptures❦ Enguerrande. Poème dramatique précédé d’une préface par Théodore Banville Rodin

Antique map of Montpellier diocese in Languedoc❦ Montpellier Les bas Sevennes dans le Languedoc 54 x 54 cm

La Fontaine’s Fables & Tales in 4 Volumes, 1868❦ La Fontaine Fables Contes Lemerre Pauly 1868

French Army Directory 1902–1906 with author dedications❦ ARMEE FRANCAISE ALBUM ANNUAIRE ANNEE 1902 à 1906 + dédicace

Pietro L. Lotto: Artistic Legacy❦ Lotto

Paris Review, Vol. 23 (1831) – Rare 2nd Edition❦ Revue de Paris deuxième édition (tome 23 ème), 1831

Rouen cityscape with academy speech❦ ROUEN Vue de Rouen. Discours de réception à l’Académie + dédicace

Dostoevsky’s Siberian Prison Memoir❦ Dostoievsky Souvenirs de la maison des morts Vogüe

Secrets of the Master Sorcerer❦ MAGIE secrets du maître sorcier

Political Revolutions in 19th-Century Europe❦ Europe ANCILLON Tableau des Révolutions du Système politique de l’Europe 1803

Paris in 1937: Custom-bound collector’s edition❦ Paris 1937 Gallimard exemplaire personnalisé

Roman Villa Excavation Report❦ villa gallo-romaine du Gleyzia d’Augreilh à Saint-Pé-de-Mazères

📦 We ship antiquarian books worldwide

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