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

Pierre de L'ESTOILE’s Memoirs and Journals (1574-1611)❦ Pierre de L’ESTOILE Mémoires – journaux 1574-1611

Péré Foundry Type Specimen❦ fonderie Specimen des caractères

Taupinal Songs by Genius❦ Recueil de chansons Taupinales Génie

Bambi illustrated by Disney (1948)❦ DISNEY, Walt Bambi,d’Aprés Félix Salten 1948

Dramatic Days of Boldness by BLEMONT❦ BLEMONT Dunki LES JOURS D’AUDACE, DRAME lemerre dedicace

FRANCE’s Mémoires of a Volunteer❦ FRANCE Anatole Mémoires d’un volontaire. Petite collection rose. Lemerre

Workers' Role in the 1848 Revolution❦ OUVRIERS EPISODE DE LA REVOLUTION DE FEVRIER 1848

L'Aveu by Arthur Adamov❦ ADAMOV Arthur L’Aveu 1946

Mosaic Revival Techniques❦ Renouveau de La Mosaique

Maurice Maindron’s historical novel with facsimile❦ MAINDRON M. de Clérambon. Avec portrait et fac-simile ex- nté

Ancient Indian Games & Toys❦ Inde La vie publique et privée dans l’Inde ancienne JEUX ET JOUETS

Christophe Jehan: Sculpture and Painting❦ Christophe JEHAN sculpture peinture

1940 Jewel Pocket Agenda❦ Mini calendrier agenda bijou 1940

MONTHERLANT Novels in Pléiade Edition❦ MONTHERLANT Henry ( de ) ROMANS Gallimard NRF Bibliothèque de la pléiade

Village Scholar’s Enlightenment in 1839❦ Mini MAITRE PIERRE OU LE SAVANT DE VILLAGE 1839

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