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

Mademoiselle Dax: A Young Woman's Portrait❦ FARRERE Claude Mademoiselle Dax jeune fille

Scattered Confessions: Rare Novel❦ curiosa CONFIDENCES EGAREES

The Phantom Airplane by Paul d'Ivoi❦ Paul d’IVOI L’aéroplane fantôme ill-Bombled

Colonial Fantasies in 19th-Century France❦ Curiosa LES FOLIES COLONIALES

Complete illustrated works of Courteline by Hémard❦ COURTELINE (Georges) Oeuvres complètes illustrées HEMARD

Saint-Exupéry’s Letters to His Mother and Youth Writings❦ Lettres de Saint-Exupéry Lettres a sa mère lettres de jeunesse lettre à un otage

Thermodynamics & Fluid Mechanics with Theoretical Hydraulics❦ thermodynamique et de mécanique des fluides & Hydraulique théorique MONTEIL

Perrault's Classic Fairy Tales, 1894 Edition❦ PERRAULT Ch Contes E. Dentu 1894

French high society directory 1966❦ Bottin mondain 1966

Art of Seduction: 10 Years of Lessons❦ curiosa ART D’AIMER. 10 ANS DE LECONS DE SEDUCTION. Aubade

Plaster medal 25 x 35 mm❦ Médaille en plâtre 25 x 35 mm

Pierre de L'ESTOILE’s Memoirs and Journals (1574-1611)❦ Pierre de L’ESTOILE Mémoires – journaux 1574-1611

Charles Garnier: Architectural Legacy❦ Charles Garnier ARCHITECTE

Péré Foundry Type Specimen❦ fonderie Specimen des caractères

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

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