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

Chopin’s Russia: Peoples and Cultures in 1838❦ Russie CHOPIN L’univers. Histoire et description 1838

1899 Bibliophile’s Almanac❦ Almanach du bibliophile pour l’année 1899

Gardens of Madness: A Journey Through Garden Worlds❦ jardin De Folie en Folies : La Decouverte du monde des jardins

Jules Verne Collection Catalogue from Nantes Museum❦ Verne Catalogue du fonds Jules Verne NANTES

Nicolas Régnier: Painter, Collector, Art Dealer (1588–1667)❦ Nicolas Régnier ca 1588 – 1667 Peintre, collectionneur, marchand d’art

Vitrac’s Complete Poetry: Dés-lyre❦ VITRAC (Roger). Dés-lyre. Poésies complètes…

Ice Sowers: Rare 1903 Adventure Novel with Stunning Illustrations❦ Ivoi, Paul Les Semeurs de Glace

Complete Works of Molière in 11 Volumes❦ MOLIERE Jean-Baptiste Poquelin Oeuvres Complètes

Gorky Theatre Program from 1937 Paris Expo❦ RUSSIE Theatre académique d’art M. Gorky 1937

La Fontaine's Fables, 1823 Miniature Edition❦ Fables LA FONTAINE 1823 mini

GIDE: Correspondence & Charlot Edition❦ Gide André Attendu que… Charlot + lettres

Boutelleau’s Fetishes with Author’s Inscription❦ BOUTELLEAU GERARD LES FETICHES + dédicace

Philibert’s Clever Ideas by Avelot❦ Avelot Les bonnes idées de Philibert

Gauguin Museum Catalog, Tahiti❦ Gauguin Catalogue du Musée Gauguin, Papeari, Tahiti

Napoleon’s Veterans’ Memoirs, 1960❦ GROGNARDS DE LA GRANDE ARMEE 1960

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