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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Livres

16th Century Original Illumination - Rebus❦ Enluminure originale XVIè siècle, 140 x 145 mm. REBUS

Historical dictionary of notable figures❦ Nouveau dictionnaire historique, ou histoire abrégée de tous les hommes 1786

Family names and nobility titles study❦ Tournade Etude sur le nom de famille et les titres de noblesse 1882

Confectionery, chocolate & biscuit manufacturers directory 1948❦ Annuaire des fabricants de confiserie chocolaterie confiturerie biscuiterie.1948

Holy Patronesses of France❦ Les saintes patronnes de la France

Mathematics Course for Pavilion Guards❦ Maths BEZOUT Cours de Mathematiques; a l’Usage des Gardes du Pavillon 1781

Télémaque's Adventures - Classical Epic❦ Fénélon Aventures de Télémaque Tarlier

Historical, Ecclesiastical and Civil Geography❦ Vaissete Géographie historique, ecclésiastique et civile 1755

Surrealist portrait and artistic exploration❦ BAYA – André Breton – Jacques Kober. Derrière le Miroir n° 6 Novembre 1947

Ancient China: History and Culture of the Middle Kingdom❦ CHINE ANCIENNE. L’HISTOIRE ET LA CULTURE DE L’EMPIRE DU MILIEU

Petrodvoret, Pushkin & Pavlovsk: Ruins and Revival❦ Russie Petrodvorets Pouchkine Pavlovsk ruines et renouveau

Masterpieces of Topkapi Paintings & Miniatures❦ Topkapi – Peintures et miniatures.

Goethe’s Faust illustrated by Edy-Legrand❦ Faust Goethe Edy legrand /pur fil

Italian Army Uniforms circa 1900❦ Italie Die Italienische Armee in ihrer gegenwärtigen Uniformirung

Horticultural Journal: April 1845–March 1846❦ Jardin Revue Horticole avril 1845-mars 1846

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