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

Daumier’s Satirical Lithographs 1921❦ DAUMIER 1921 Mauritius-Verlag Berlin

Libertine poetry of 19th-century French masters❦ érotique Barbier, BECAT Hugo, Janin, Gautier L’oeuvre libertine des Poètes

Bismarck’s Correspondence: A Prince’s Private Papers❦ LE PRINCE DE BISMARCK, SA CORRESPONDANCE

A haunting tale of childhood fear❦ Gilbert de Voisins L’enfant qui prit peur , ex sur vélin

Plaster Medal of Henry II, 35mm❦ Médaille en plâtre Henricus II 35 mm

Selected Tales by Daudet, 1880 miniature edition❦ Daudet, Alphonse. Contes Choisis, 1880 mini

Fénelon’s Telemachus: Classic 18th-Century Adventure❦ FENELON Aventures de Télémaque 1800 87 x 137 mm.

The Azure Giant by André Laurie❦ Laurie (André) Le géant de l’azur. Illustrations de Georges Roux. HETZEL

Wild Beasts in Art and Folklore❦ LIVRE DES BÊTES QU’ ON APPELLE SAUVAGES. DEMAISON (André)

25mm Plaster Medal❦ Médaille en plâtre 25 mm

Napoleon: Hoche’s Childhood in Job’s Illustrations❦ Napoléon Le neveu de la fruitière ou l’enfance de Hoche…JOB

Dubout's Bawdy Tales from 1947❦ Dubout HISTOIRES GRIVOISES – DUBOUT 1947

36mm plaster medal❦ Médaille en plâtre 36 mm

La Bruyère & Theophrastus: Characters (1829)❦ LA BRUYERE / THEOPHRASTE Les Caractères de La Bruyère 1829

MISTRAL’s 1901 signed letter to Régnier❦ MISTRAL Frédéric Carte-Lettre autographe signée 19 mai 1901

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