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

Victor Hugo’s Essays on Literature and Philosophy❦ Victor Hugo Littérature et philosophie mêlées.

1802 Pocket Atlas of the World in French❦ Dictionnaire de poche Géographique ou Description Vosgien 1802

Diderot’s satirical masterpiece illustrated in 1883❦ DIDEROT Le neveu de Rameau illustré par GAUTHIER 1883

Paris street lighting history 1904❦ Paris Histoire de l’éclairage des rues de Paris 1904

Medieval Breton feudal law study❦ Droit STROWSKI La Censive et le fief roturier en Bretagne

1920s French Weighing Scales Catalogue❦ Pesage Catalogue Manufacture Française d’Instruments de Pesage Ebts Besson

Productive Poultry Farming Guide❦ poule BASSE-COUR PRODUCTIVE. LES POULES ELEVAGE LUCRATIF.

Waverley in early 19th-century France❦ Sir Walter Scott Waverley, ou il y a soixante ans MINI

Modern technical textiles: 21st-century materials❦ Textiles techniques et fonctionnels : Matériaux du XXIe siècle

Chantilly letters from 1907❦ Chantilly lettres de chantilly 1907

Paul Gauguin’s Emotional Life by Jean Dorsenne❦ Dorsenne Jean La vie sentimentale de Paul Gauguin Cahiers de la quinzaine

1927 guide to French wines: Anjou to Champagne❦ Montorgueil Georges & Carlègle Monseigneur le vin 1927 livre 4 ème

Complete Works of Octave Mirbeau❦ Octave MIRBEAU Oeuvres Éditions Nationales, 1934-1936

Lenten Sermons Collection 1685❦ Essais de Sermons pour tous Les Jours du Carême 1685

History of Clichy-la-Garenne by Abbé Lecanu❦ Clichy HISTOIRE DE CLICHY LA GARENNE

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