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

Nigerian Art from the Musée des Arts d'Afrique et d'Océanie❦ ARTS DU NIGERIA. Collection du musée des Arts d’Afrique et d’Océanie

Napoleon in Egypt and Waterloo: Original 1835 Edition❦ Napoléon en Egypte – Waterloo – Le Fils de l’homme 1835 illustré par Raffet

Moral reflections on wisdom's maxims❦ Ecole des moeurs ou réflexions morales et historiques sur les maximes de la sage

Philumenist matchbox collection of 318 items❦ allumettes PHILUMENISTE Collection de 318 pochettes d’allumettes

PTT Ministry of PTT Telegraph 1930❦ PTT ministère des PTT télégraphiez 1930

Alpine landscapes and human history in 1896❦ Alpes montagne LENTHERIC L’HOMME DEVANT LES ALPES 1896.+ plans,cartes

Grand Paris: South & Northeast Suburbs❦ PARIS HILLAIRET Jacques Evocation du Grand Paris banlieue Nord-Est & Sud

Customs and Smuggling 1992❦ Douane et contrebande 1992

Christians of the Orient in 1929❦ CHRETIENS D’ORIENT 1929

La Fontaine’s Fables with Balzac’s preface and Devéria’s vignettes❦ Balzac La Fontaine ornées de trente vignettes dessinées par Devéria 1826

Modern Casting Techniques for Surface Fishing❦ pêche Les techniques modernes du Lancer – Pêches de surface..

Shakespeare’s Complete Works in Fine Leather Binding❦ William Shakespeare The Works of William Shakespeare London: Frederick Warne…

A Lieutenant Under Louis XIV❦ Lieutenant de louis XIV

Artist’s Travel Sketches: Paris, Americas, Tahiti❦ Curiosa FABIANO Mes modèles à travers le monde

Cold greenhouse cultivation guide for gardeners❦ Culture des plantes de serre froide: orangerie et serre tempérée

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