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

Nostradamus: Histories and Prophecies to 2000❦ Nostradamus, Historien et prophète : Les prophéties de 1555 à l’an 2000

Parisian High Society Directory 1939❦ Bottin mondain 1939

Blanche Ré in Youthful Days❦ Île de Ré Blanche Ré au temps de notre jeunesse

Hubert Robert's Rome in Sanguine, 1930❦ Rome d’Hubert Robert 1930 SANGUINES

Victorian-era satire on literary dining culture❦ dîner L’art de diner en ville à l’usage des gens de Lettres… 1861

Wolfgang Paalen: A Surrealist Vision❦ WOLFGANG PAALEN 1980

Ancient Greek tales in 19th-century translation❦ Louÿs Scènes de la vie des courtisanes Lucien de Samosate + dédicace

1937 Infantry Half-Track Manual❦ chenillettes notice d’emploi des chenillettes d’infanterie 1937

Classic 1950s French Pastry Guide❦ patisserie MATHIOT GINETTE JE SAIS FAIRE LA PATISSERIE 1955

Chantilly Castle and Racing in 1879❦ Chantilly LECERF Hippolyte LE CHATEAU DE CHANTILLY ET LES COURSES 1879

Adolphe Cadéot’s life in 1851 Fleurance❦ Fleurance GERS 32 vie de Adolphe Cadéot 1851

Scientific recreations without lab equipment❦ TISSANDIER Récréations scientifiques ou L’Enseignement par les Jeux

1810: The Spark of Spanish America's Revolution❦ Révolution de l’Amérique espagnole en 1810

Mademoiselle de Milly - A Novel of the Belle Époque❦ MADEMOISELLE DE MILLY – ROMAN.

Belle du Seigneur by Albert Cohen❦ COHEN Albert BELLE DU SEIGNEUR GALLIMARD 1990

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