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

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

Memoirs and letters of Marshal de Tessé❦ Mémoires et lettres du Maréchal de Tessé 1806

French Militia under Vichy Regime❦ Milice Cointet La milice Française

Original 18th Century Map of Lozère❦ Lozère carte XVIIIè originale, rehaussée en couleur

Easy French Cooking by Mam'selle Jeanneton❦ cuisine La cuisine facile Recettes méthodiques de Mam’selle Jeanneton cuisinière

Reims Tales with Meissonier & Foulquier Illustrations❦ Reims Contes Remois. Dessins de E. Meissonier & de Foulquier 1864

Cameroon to Hoggar, 1945❦ DU CAMEROUN AU HOGGAR 1945

Jean FOLLAIN’s rare 1933 poetry collection with author’s dedication❦ FOLLAIN (Jean). La Main chaude + dédicace

Voyage of the Korrigane around the world❦ VAN DEN BROEK D’OBRENAN VALERY Paul Le voyage de “la Korrigane”

Final Years of King Stanislas❦ Pologne MAUGRAS Dernières années du roi Stanislas

📦 We ship antiquarian books worldwide

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