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

Frans Hals: A Masterful Monograph❦ FRANS HALS

Brittany Illustrated Sea Bathing Guide 1921❦ bretagne Les Guides Illustrés Bains de Mer de Bretagne 1921

Pioneering 19th-century pediatric treatise❦ Traité des Maladies des Enfans Nouveau-Nés et à la Mamelle 1833

Resistance literature in clandestine 1943-45 editions❦ Editions de Minuit, vélin, publiés clandestinement.. lettrés patriotes 1944

JOBARD optical instruments catalog from 1895❦ Lunette manufacture de lunetterie & d’instruments d’optique JOBARD

Autograph letter by Pierre Louÿs❦ Pierre Louÿs BELLE LETTRE AUTOGRAPHE MANUSCRITE

Anonymous Erotic Cruel Zealand❦ érotique Anonymous Cruelle Zélande

De Gaulle Silver Photograph with Negatives❦ DE GAULLE PHOTO ARGENTIQUE + NEGATIF

Sabatier’s 1777 Human Anatomy Treatise❦ anatomie M.SABATIER TRAITE COMPLET D’ANATOMIE OU DESCRIPTION 1777

Old houses, old papers: 1906 Lenotre collection❦ Vieilles maisons, vieux papiers. Troisième série.1906 LENOTRE

Napoleon’s Rise: The 18th Brumaire Coup❦ Napoléon Histoire du dix-huit brumaire et de Buonaparte 1814

19th-c. funeral orations by Flechier, Mascaron & Bourdaloue❦ FLECHIER MASCARON, BOURDALOUE Oraisons funèbres 1826

André CARIOU: Yves Tanguy’s Surreal Universe❦ Yves Tanguy – L’univers surréaliste

Marmande Proscriptions of 1851❦ Marmande PROSCRIPTIONS DE MARMANDE (LOT ET GARONNE) 2 DECEMBRE 1851

Prison Poets: 1943 Poetry Special❦ POETES PRISONNIERS. CAHIER SPECIAL DE POESIE 1943

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