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

Gauguin’s emotional life in a rare 1927 edition❦ Dorsenne Jean La vie sentimentale de Paul Gauguin 1927 + dédicace

Regional French Furniture Guide❦ LA CONNAISSANCE DES MEUBLES REGIONAUX FRANCAIS

Autograph letter by SOMERSET MAUGHAM (1955)❦ Sommerset MAUGHAN lettre manuscrite autographe LONDON 1955

Albert Samain: Symbolist Poet with Dedication❦ ALBERT SAMAIN – POETE SYMBOLISTE + dédicace

Modern technical textiles: 21st-century materials❦ Textiles techniques et fonctionnels : Matériaux du XXIe siècle

Henri IV’s Page and Charlotte de la Trémoille❦ Henri IV, Charlotte de la Trémoille et son page

The Mill and the Miller: A Social Symbolism Study❦ Moulin Le Moulin et le Meunier

Paul Gauguin’s Emotional Life by Jean Dorsenne❦ Dorsenne Jean La vie sentimentale de Paul Gauguin Cahiers de la quinzaine

Chic Society in Colorful Illustrations❦ GYP Les Gens chics. Images en couleurs de BOB

René by Chateaubriand: Critical Edition 1935❦ CHATEAUBRIAND RENE 1935

Oriental Wanderings by R. de TRAZ❦ TRAZ (R. de). Le dépaysement oriental

Channel Pilot: NW France & Channel Islands 1938❦ Channel Pilot; Part II: Comprising the North-Western and Northern Coasts of F…

1845 Illustrated History of French Penal Colonies❦ Bagnes Bagnes Histoire, types, murs, mystères 1845

Palissot’s collected works from 1788❦ PALISSOT Charles Oeuvres de M. de Palissot 1788

Medieval Visual and Gestural Language❦ Voir et comprendre au Moyen Age, visuelle et gestuelle

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