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

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

Rembrandt’s Christ: Masterpieces from the Louvre❦ Rembrandt et la figure du Christ

Gauguin Retrospective 1989❦ GAUGUIN 10 JANVIER – 24 AVRIL 1989. GALERIES NATIONALES DU GRAND PALAIS

Memoirs of a Nobleman: Fragments of My Life (1928)❦ PRINCE DE LIGNE Fragments de l’Histoire de ma Vie 1928

Freemasonry: From the Knight of the Orient to Kadosch❦ Franc-maçonnerie Du chevalier d’Orient au chevalier Kadosch

Original 1948 hand-drawn pin-up illustrations❦ Curiosa dessins originaux à la main, datés et signés pin-up 1948

Tahiti through Dorsenne’s eyes with Morillot’s art❦ Jean Dorsenne Mauruuru Tahiti

Autograph letter by Pierre Louÿs❦ Pierre Louÿs BELLE LETTRE AUTOGRAPHE MANUSCRITE

1837 Keepsake: Paris-Londres with rare illustrations❦ KEEPSAKE Paris-Londres. Keepsake français 1837

Charles Coypel (1694–1762): Master Painter and Court Artist❦ Coypel – Charles Coypel 1694-1762

France and Colonies in Illustrated Geography❦ VERNE GEOGRAPHIE ILLUSTREE DE LA FRANCE ET DE SES COLONIES Hetzel

Spain under Ferdinand and Isabella: Governance and Society❦ ESPAGNE SOUS FERDINAND ET ISABELLE, LE GOUVERNEMENT, LES INSTITUTIONS…

A Gourmand’s Culinary Adventures❦ Cuisine les aventures d’un gourmand

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