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

Bastille’s Rise: A 19th-Century Chronicle❦ Bastille Histoire de l’élévation de la Bastille 1847

Insightful commentary on civil law❦ Medulla iustiniana sive dilucida totius iuris civilis juxta digestorum 1666

PUVIS DE CHAVANNES by RIOTOR❦ PUVIS DE CHAVANNES

Renault 16 Repair Manual 1967❦ Renault 16 MANUEL DE REPARATION RENAULT 16 – M.R. 96 1967

HALÉVY Autograph Letter❦ Halévy Lettre autographe

Treasures of Bayeux Cathedral: Goldsmithing & Reliquaries❦ ORFEVRERIE TRESORS de la CATHEDRALE de BAYEUX RELIQUAIRE OSTENSOIR…

Tours and Loire Valley Castles in 1924❦ Tours DU VIEUX TOURS AUX CHATEAUX DE LA LOIRE 1924

Wells’ Whimsical Cycling Adventure❦ SF WELLS H. G. LA BURLESQUE EQUIPEE DU CYCLISTE EO

Mam’zelle Vertu – A New Game❦ LAVEDAN MAM’ZELLE VERTU – Le nouveau jeu

Parisian Vignettes: Early 20th Century Illustrated Stories❦ PETITES IMAGES DE PARIS (1ère Série)

Picasso’s private collection cataloged by Duncan❦ Picasso DUNCAN Les Picasso de Picasso 1960.

Marie Bashkirtseff’s Unpublished Intimate Journals❦ BASHKIRTSEFF (Marie). Cahiers intimes inédits de Marie Bashkirtseff

Devotional Book from the 1890s❦ MISSEL DES SANCTUAIRES VÉNÉRÉS

History of the 2nd Artillery Regiment 1899❦ Historique du 2me Régiment d’artillerie 1899

Military life in 1899: rare color photo album❦ ARMEE ALBUM MILITAIRE photos couleurs 1899 figaro

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