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

Maurice Leblanc’s Arsène Lupin: Rare Collection❦ Leblanc Maurice ARSENE LUPIN

Roman Breviary: Autumn Part in Full Morocco Binding❦ PAROISSIEN ROMAIN PARTIE D AUTOMNE. reliure GRUEL

Rhône 1891 - Historical Geography Atlas❦ Rhône 1891 -carte Adolphe Joanne***Géographie du département 69

L'Aiglon by Edmond Rostand with vintage illustrations❦ ROSTAND Edmond L’Aiglon Lafitte

Royal Crown Jewels of Europe❦ Joyaux des couronnes d’Europe

17th–18th c. Rare Books from Duc de Chartres’ Library❦ Beres Pierre Catalogue 44. livres anciens duc de Chartres

145 Woodworking Examples by Fuentès❦ menuiserie Fuentès 145 exemples de menuiserie

Renaissance Art in Lower Normandy 1975❦ Renaissance en Basse-Normandie 1975

30mm Plaster Medal❦ Médaille en plâtre 30 mm

1978 French High Society Directory❦ Bottin mondain 1978

Correspondence between Gide and Du Bos❦ GIDE André & DU BOS Charles Lettres de Charles du Bos et réponses de André Gide

Golden Bird: A Deluxe Japon Paper Edition❦ Tharaud L’oiseau d’or exemplaire sur papier Japon

Pyrénées: A border mountain presented❦ Pyrénées, présentation d’une montagne frontalière – El Pirineo, presentacion

Ouessant life scenes in rainy weather❦ SAVIGNON, André Filles de la Pluie (Scènes de la Vie Ouessantine) sur vélin

Stendhal’s posthumous diary (1801–1814)❦ STENDHAL. Oeuvre posthume. – Journal de Stendhal 1888

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