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

Léontine’s Six Life Stages❦ enfantina Les six âges de Léontine

Love's Wandering Players by Francis de Miomandre❦ MIOMANDRE (Francis de). Les Baladins d’amour

COCTEAU’s Wedding Hall in Menton Town Hall❦ COCTEAU La salle des mariages. Hôtel de ville de Menton

Lapérouse: Spirits of Vanikoro Mystery❦ Lapérouse Les esprits de Vanikoro : le mystère Lapérouse

Marie-Madeleine Sersim by Serge Délain❦ curiosa Délain Marie-Madeleine Roman photo

Vandals: Reims Cathedral & Belgium 1914-1916❦ VANDALES – 1914-1915-1916 – LA cathédrale de Reims – La Belgique heroïque et

1948 Diplomatic Verdun Treaty Analysis❦ MONTOIRE VERDUN DIPLOMATIQUE 1948

Napoleon’s Disastrous Life❦ Napoléon DE ROSTOPCHINE ANTOINE LA VIE TRES INCONVENANTE DE NAPOLEON BONAPARTE

Péguy’s Eve: Mortal Dawn in 1954❦ PEGUY EVE PREMIERE MORTELLE 1954

Eustache Le Sueur: Life and Work (1616–1655)❦ Eustache Le Sueur 1616-1655

Jules Verne’s Illustrated Earth Exploration❦ VERNE Jules. Découverte de la Terre HETZEL

Sensual Satirical Poetry Collection❦ érotique Le Cabinet satyrique, ou Recueil parfaict des vers piquans et paillards

The Timeless: Metamorphosis of the Gods III❦ MALRAUX La métamorphose des Dieux. T 3 : L’INTEMPOREL

Lucas van Leyden & Bruegel the Elder Engravings❦ Leyden – Peter Bruegel l’Ancien LAVALLEYE 1966

Alain Bombard’s tale of voluntary shipwreck❦ BOMBARD Alain. SAMIVEL.- Histoire du naufragé volontaire.

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