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

SULLY Mémoires du Duc de Sully Bradel binder❦ SULLY Mémoires du Duc de Sully Bradel relieur

Curiosa Histoire du Roi Gonzalve et des Douze Princesses

imitation of Jésus-christ 1885 53 × 78 mm. MINIATURE❦ imitation de Jésus-christ 1885 53 x 78 mm. MINUSCULE

Guide-Route for the Bather & Tourist: Ariège & Andorra, 1890❦ guide-route du baigneur & du touriste ARIEGE & EN ANDORRE 1890

Curiosa Histoire du Roi Gonzalve et des Douze Princesses

Satire Le Tintamarre, French satirical weekly 1883❦ Satire Le Tintamarre hebdomadaire satirique français 1883

AGEN Collection of the Proceedings of the Society of Agriculture, Sciences and Arts of Agen❦ AGEN Recueil des Travaux de La Société d’Agriculture, Sciences et Arts d’Agen

Atlas FISQUET Grand atlas départemental de la France❦ Atlas FISQUET Grand atlas départemental de la France …

Voleur, gazette des journaux français et étrangers. (1835, 2nd half)❦ Voleur, gazette des journaux français et étrangers. (1835, 2e semestre)

CERVANTES Don Quijote (Quichotte) 1837

Autographed Letter from Pierre Gaxotte❦ Pierre Gaxotte lettre autographe signée

Unpublished correspondence of Dumouriez's aide-de-camp❦ Fernig Correspondance inédite aide de camp du Gal Dumouriez 1873

Beautiful signed letter by Picart Ledoux❦ Picart Ledoux lettre autographe signée

Restored works of Horace❦ HORACE Quinti horatii flacci carmina notori suo restituta 1754

Complete Works of a 13th Century Trouvère❦ RUTEBEUF Oeuvres complètes de RUTEBEUF, trouvère du XIIIe bib. Elzévirienne

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