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

Travel journal 1911–1913❦ Voyage journal des voyages 1911-1913

Voltaire’s epic poem on Henry IV with critical essay❦ Voltaire Henriade en dix chants avec la dissertation sur la mort d’Henri IV 1791

Roger Peyrefitte’s Saint-Pierre Keys with inscription❦ PEYREFITTE Roger Les clés de Saint-Pierre + dédicace

Courboin’s Print Catalogue: Rare 1900 Reserve❦ Courboin Catalogue sommaire des gravures et lithographies composant la reserve

Uncle Thomas by PIGAULT-LEBRUN (1800)❦ PIGAULT-LEBRUN Mon Oncle Thomas 1800

1933 Humorous Medical Journal in Half-Leather Binding❦ Ridendo, Revue gaie pour le médecin 1933

RAF pilot’s WWII combat memoirs❦ RAF BATES H.E. A travers l’enfer & derriere les communiques 1944

Rudyard Kipling’s barracks songs with Daragnès woodcuts❦ KIPLING (Rudyard) Chansons de la chambrée Daragnès

Penal Colony in French Guiana and New Caledonia❦ bagne GRAND LIVRE DU BAGNE EN GUYANE ET NOUVELLE-CALEDONIE

Palladian architecture and Venetian masters at Maser❦ Palladio, Veronese e Vittoria a Maser. Introduzione di Bernard Berenson

Athens by Edy Legrand: Acropolis engraving❦ Athènes Edy Legrand Acropole

1808 Catechism Explanation for French Churches❦ Explication du Catéchisme à l’usage de toutes les églises de l’Empire français

Degas in the Gazette des Beaux-Arts 1924❦ Degas JAMOT PAUL DEGAS. GAZETTE DES BEAUX ARTS 1924

ALLAIS - A Dissatisfied Man, Monologue❦ ALLAIS-A Un mécontent, monologue

Architectural Disputes Review, Vol. 6 (1903-1904)❦ Ramel Revue du contentieux de l’architecture, du bâtiment tome 6 ème, 1903..

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