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

Aphrodites: Fragments of Thalic-Priapic Pleasure❦ érotiqu APHRODITES OU FRAGMENTS THALI-PRIAPIQUES SERVIR A L’HISTOIRE DU PLAISIR

Paul Valéry’s philosophical portrait in rare condition❦ VALERY (Paul): Monsieur Teste ex. sur Alfa

Dumas' historical novels: intrigue, mystery, and royal secrets❦ Drame chevalier d’Harmental Dumas, Joyaux de la reine, mystères de Londres 1849

Lake Ontario illustrated edition❦ COOPER FENIMORE. LE LAC ONTARIO, 1936

1790 Gers Department Map by Houdon❦ Gers 32 Département du GERS 1790

Union & Confederate Navies War Records❦ Navy Stewart Official Records of the Union and Confederate Navies 1914

Life's Gentle Sweetness with Original Lithograph❦ ROMAINS Jules La douceur de la vie orné d’une lithographie originale de Heuzé

21st Territorial Infantry Regiment 1914-1918: Campaign Memories❦ 21 e régiment f’infanterie territoriale 1914-1918

Medieval Folklore: Demons and Genies of the Land❦ Démons et Génies du terroir au Moyen Age

Decorative Composition Principles❦ NOTIONS DE COMPOSITION DECORATIVE

Greek Tragedy: A 19th-Century Analysis❦ DELTOUR, Félix , RINN, Charles. La tragédie Grecque. 1887

Memoirs of a Nobleman: Fragments of My Life (1928)❦ PRINCE DE LIGNE Fragments de l’Histoire de ma Vie 1928

Turcaret: A Classic Satire with Valton’s Illustrations❦ LE SAGE TURCARET illustré par valton

Camera Under the Boot❦ occupation Mahuzier Albert CAMERA SOUS LA BOTTE

Genevoix's 1943 novel with fox hunting theme❦ GENEVOIX MAURIC LAFRAMBOISE ET BELLEHUMEUR 1941

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