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 anciens, de collection

Exploration of the Isard Region❦ ISARD cinq frères Cadier & Un des cinq frères Cadier Au Pays des Isard

Tenerife Lace - DMC Collection Reference❦ Dentelle de Tenerife – Collection bibliothèque DMC Th.de Dillmont

Koenigsmark: A Rare Illustrated Edition❦ BENOI Koenigsmark ill-Falké

François Villon’s Complete Works with Illustrations❦ Villon Françoys Les oeuvres de Françoys Villon de Paris contenant Les Lais…

Great Carthusian Monastery 1898❦ GRANDE CHARTREUSE 1898

Boufflers’ Witty Tales in Verse and Prose❦ Boufflers, Chevalier de Contes de Boufflers 1878

Louis Capdevielle’s Pyrenean Journey❦ Louis Capdevielle Pyrénées

Franche-Comté: Soul of the Land in 1903❦ Franche-Comté l’âme du pays Riat 1903

Gnostic Secrets of Truthful Believers❦ NUR ALI-SHAH ELAHI – MOKRI Mohammad L’Esotérisme Kurde

Hoffmann’s Fantastic Tales Illustrated by Gavarni❦ HOFFMANN Contes fantastiques de Hoffmann – Gavarni 1843

Schopenhauer’s Metaphysics of Will and Representation❦ SCHOPENHAUER Le MONDE comme Volonté et comme Représentation

George Sand’s Provincial Novel❦ SAND GEORGE. FRANCOIS LE CHAMPI. CALMANN LEVY

A Tale of Misfortune❦ Curiosa Soulages Le Malheureux petit voyage..ill-Bécat

Old Dolls' Charm❦ poupée Le charme des vieilles poupées

1932 Hachette baseball guide❦ STONKUS PITCHE 1932

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