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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Collections

Dialogues of the Carmelites Opera 1970❦ Monaco Dialogues des carmélites 1970 opéra en 3 actes

Chateaubriand’s Complete Works, Rare 1826-31 Edition❦ CHATEAUBRIAND Oeuvres complètes Ladvocat 1826 EO

Memoirs of a Polish Nobleman❦ les mémoires de Jean-Chrysostome Pasek gentilhomme polonais

1801 wordplay collection in calf binding❦ Mini ARLIQUINIANA, ou Jeux de mots de Dominique et autres..1801

Camargue and its guardians in 1938❦ CAMARGUE GARDIANE 1938

17th-century Latin dictionary by Calepinus with multilingual additions❦ Latin dictionnaire Ambrosii Calepini dictionarium XVII ème

Madame de Sévigné’s 1887 Letters with Historical Notes❦ SÉVIGNÉ. Lettres de Madame de Sévigné 1887

Paris Revolutions in Miniature: Triumph of Liberty❦ Mini révolution Époques les plus intéressantes Révolutions de Paris ou le Triomp

Constantine the Great and His Reign❦ Constantin-le-Grand et son règne. 1846

Champollion’s Antiquities & Numismatics Collection❦ Champollion Archéologie ou traité des antiquités, numismatique… 1833

NERVAL’S FIERY DAUGHTERS: A ROMANTIC MYTHOLOGY❦ NERVAL LES FILLES DU FEU 1864

18th-century amorous tales collection❦ Mini Académie galante contenant diverses petites Histoires très curieuses 1708

Pioneering French photography journal La Lumière (1860)❦ photographie première revue LA LUMIERE 1860

Toulouse’s medieval annals with noble feudal records❦ TOULOUSE Annales de la ville de Toulouse depuis la réunion de la Comté 1687

SACHA GUITRY: A Rare Play on Illness❦ GUITRY LA MALADIE ex H.C.

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