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

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

Hyacinthe-Loyson Le collier des songes

Artist’s Self-Portraits and the Mirror❦ Autoportrait peintre et son miroir. Préface de Gérard Mourgue

Pindar’s odes in 18th-century French translation❦ PINDARE Nouvelle traduction des quelques odes de Pindare 1776

Plaster medal, 53 mm❦ Médaille en plâtre 53 mm.

French Cavalry Manual 1935❦ Cavalerie MANUEL DU GRADE DE CAVALERIE (REGIMENTS METROPOLITAINS) A L’USAGE 1935

Eroticism in Cinema: Pasolini’s Perspective❦ Cinéma d’aujourd’hui n°4 – L’érotisme en question dont L’érotisme selon Pasolini

1839 Agricultural Almanac with Horticultural Guide❦ JARDIN bon jardinier. Almanach agricole pour l’année 1839

Animal Strike Illustrated by Vimar❦ Grève des animaux illust-Vimar

Cherokee with author's signed inscription❦ ECHENOZ (Jean) Cherokee + dédicace

Heister’s 18th-century surgical treatise❦ Chirurgie Laurent HEISTER Institutions de chirurgie 1770

Zadig: Voltaire’s Oriental Tale (Critical Edition 1929)❦ Voltaire ZADIG Edition critique 1929

Exotic travels of a French sergeant through colonies❦ Ivoi (d’) Le sergent simplet à travers les colonies Françaises illust-Métivet

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