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

Epilogues: Reflections on Life❦ Gourmont, Rémy de Epilogues : reflexions sur la vie EO 1904

King Pausole’s Curious Adventures illustrated by Bécat❦ Curiosa aventures du roi Pausole Bécat sur vélin

Memoirs of a Russian Schoolboy❦ LAURIE Mémoires d’un collégien russe HETZEL

France in its Colonies around 1899❦ FRANCE AUX COLONIES (vers 1899)

Mademoiselle Dax: A Young Woman's Portrait❦ FARRERE Claude Mademoiselle Dax jeune fille

Scattered Confessions: Rare Novel❦ curiosa CONFIDENCES EGAREES

Latin Lessons in Modern Literature and Morals❦ LATIN LECONS LATINES MODERNES DE LITTERATURE ET DE MORALE 1823

Indochina Bank 1962 Shareholders Meeting❦ banque de l’indochine assemblée générale ordinaire des actionnaires 1962

Colonial Fantasies in 19th-Century France❦ Curiosa LES FOLIES COLONIALES

Classic 19th-century French menus by Mme Durandeau❦ cuisine Les menus de Mme. Durandeau VERMOT

Complete illustrated works of Courteline by Hémard❦ COURTELINE (Georges) Oeuvres complètes illustrées HEMARD

Saint-Exupéry’s Letters to His Mother and Youth Writings❦ Lettres de Saint-Exupéry Lettres a sa mère lettres de jeunesse lettre à un otage

Thermodynamics & Fluid Mechanics with Theoretical Hydraulics❦ thermodynamique et de mécanique des fluides & Hydraulique théorique MONTEIL

Perrault's Classic Fairy Tales, 1894 Edition❦ PERRAULT Ch Contes E. Dentu 1894

French high society directory 1966❦ Bottin mondain 1966

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