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

Royal collections from Versailles to Paris❦ Collection De Versailles à Paris : le destin des collections royales

Parisian mores in a 19th-century novel❦ DAUDET, Alphonse L’Immortel. Moeurs parisiennes EO 1888

Historical catalog of the National Library's prints (1875)❦ Estampes département des estampes à la bibliothèque nationale 1875

Count de Montalembert’s Saint Elizabeth of Hungary (1893)❦ Montalembert (Comte de) Sainte Elisabeth de Hongrie 1893.

Agricultural Evolution in Mesopotamia (8th–6th Millennium BCE)❦ Agricultural Changes at Euphrates and Steppe Sites in the Mid-8th to the 6th Mil

Norman History by AIME (1892)❦ Normandie Ystoire de li Normant 1892

Collection of Timepieces Auction❦ Horlogerie de collection Drouot 1992

Pyrenean Granite Geomorphology Study❦ Géomorphologie des granites Pyrénées

Maïténa: A Novel with Original Watercolor❦ NABONNE (B.). Maïténa. Roman + AQUARELLE

Ex-libris with wax seal, 17 x 23 cm❦ Marquis de Montigny EX-LIBRIS 17 x 23 cm. + cachet de cire aux Armes

Hittites: Archaeological Knowledge in 1939❦ Ce que nous savons des Hittites 1939

Christian, Coptic, Byzantine & Medieval Art Treasures❦ ARTS PALEOCHRETIEN, COPTE, BYSANTIN, MEDIEVAL, ROMAN

Complete surrealist anthology by Pauvert❦ Surréalisme LE SURREALISME MÊME n°1 à 5, collection complète Pauvert

1936 Saint-Gobain chemical fertilizer calendar❦ 1936 calpin calendrier Engrais chimiques manufacture Saint-Gobain 74 x 125 mm.

Essays on Medieval Chivalry❦ DISSERTATIONS SUR L’ANCIENNE CHEVALERIE

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