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

Lucas van Leyden & Bruegel the Elder Engravings❦ Leyden – Peter Bruegel l’Ancien LAVALLEYE 1966

Alain Bombard’s tale of voluntary shipwreck❦ BOMBARD Alain. SAMIVEL.- Histoire du naufragé volontaire.

Maurice Leblanc’s Arsène Lupin: Rare Collection❦ Leblanc Maurice ARSENE LUPIN

Fables by La Fontaine with Grandville's illustrations❦ LA FONTAINE Fables de la Fontaine. Illustrations de Grandville

Asie HUC Souvenirs d'un voyage dans la Tartarie, le Thibet et la Chine 1853❦ Asie HUC Souvenirs d’un voyage dans la Tartarie, le Thibet et la Chine 1853

Exhibition Catalogue: Jean-Baptiste Valadié❦ Jean-Baptiste Valadié : Catalogue de l’Exposition au Théâtre Municipal de Brive

Saint-Cyr Military Academy 1952 East Asia Promotion Gala Programs❦ Saint Cyr – Triomphe de la Promotion “Extrème-Orient” 1952

Picasso’s Saint-Paul-de-Vence in 1949❦ PREVERT Jacques et VERDET André C’est à Saint Paul de Vence 1949

Century of French Aviation History❦ Aviation Les riches heures de l’Aéro-Club de France 1898 – 1998

Kipling’s Colonial Tales in Black and White❦ KIPLING RUDYARD AU BLANC ET NOIR 1908

Royal Crown Jewels of Europe❦ Joyaux des couronnes d’Europe

Historical map of Venetian Alps & Karst❦ Venedig Karte der Süd Venetianischen Alpen und Karst 75 x 51 cm 1/250000

Arabian Nights in 19th-century French edition❦ GALLAND LES MILLE ET UNE NUITS 1832

145 Woodworking Examples by Fuentès❦ menuiserie Fuentès 145 exemples de menuiserie

Renaissance Art in Lower Normandy 1975❦ Renaissance en Basse-Normandie 1975

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