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

Oriental studies and travel memories❦ Études et souvenirs sur l’orient et ses missions Palestine, Syrie & Arabie 1883

Paris demolished: Gautier’s preface in fine binding❦ Paris démoli + envoi de l’auteur à Fournier académicien/ reliure de Pagnant

Rare 18th-Century Philosophical Dining Discourse❦ Allemagne Les Soirées Philosophiques du Cuisinier du Roi de Prusse 1785

Mysteries of Life: Occult Sciences Journal 1913❦ magie VIE MYSTERIEUSE-REVUE DE SPIRITISME, MAGNETISME, MAGIE, ASTROLOGIE..1913

Corneille’s Theatre with Commentaries (1776)❦ CORNEILLE THÈATRE DE P. CORNEILLE 1776

Marvels of the Invisible World❦ MERVEILLES DU MONDE INVISIBLE mini 1880

Brantôme’s Scandalous Ladies' Lives❦ SEIGNEUR DE BRANTOME Vies des Dames Galantes 1868

Eighteenth-century libertine novel with erotic engravings❦ Couvray Les amours du chevalier de Faublas 1884

Voltaire’s epic poem on Henry IV with critical essay❦ Voltaire Henriade en dix chants avec la dissertation sur la mort d’Henri IV 1791

Growing Up! Illustrated Children’s Book❦ TROUESSART Grandir!

Voltaire’s Henriade and Temple du Goût, 1802❦ mini la henriade poème 1802

Uncle Thomas by PIGAULT-LEBRUN (1800)❦ PIGAULT-LEBRUN Mon Oncle Thomas 1800

Rudyard Kipling’s barracks songs with Daragnès woodcuts❦ KIPLING (Rudyard) Chansons de la chambrée Daragnès

Celtic Art in the Zodiac Tradition❦ Gaulois l’art Gaulois Zodiaque

French Militia under Vichy Regime❦ Milice Cointet La milice Française

📦 We ship antiquarian books worldwide

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