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

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

Catalogue of Daragnès’ Illustrated Books❦ Daragnès Catalogue des Livres illustrés par Daragnès

Maxillofacial reconstructive surgery 1940❦ Chirurgie réparatrice maxillo-faciale. Autoplasties – Prothèse – 1940

Guyane Jean-Marcel Hurault French and Indians in Guyana❦ Guyane Jean-Marcel Hurault Francais et Indiens en Guyane

SARASIN’s Poetry with Lithograph Portrait, 1824❦ SARASIN.- Poésies de Sarasin. Orné d’un portrait 1824

Life of a Haitian leader❦ Toussaint Louverture Schoelcher

Daumier’s Satirical Lithographs 1921❦ DAUMIER 1921 Mauritius-Verlag Berlin

Renaissance satire in rare 1858 edition❦ Bonaventure des Periers Jacob [Paul Lacroix] Le Cymbalum mundi 1858

Libertine poetry of 19th-century French masters❦ érotique Barbier, BECAT Hugo, Janin, Gautier L’oeuvre libertine des Poètes

19th-century French caricatures and portraits❦ Daumier Gavarni…Les français peints par eux-mêmes

Bismarck’s Correspondence: A Prince’s Private Papers❦ LE PRINCE DE BISMARCK, SA CORRESPONDANCE

Miniature New Testament Bible❦ Bible New Testament of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ 35 x 30 mm.

Fénelon’s Telemachus: Classic 18th-Century Adventure❦ FENELON Aventures de Télémaque 1800 87 x 137 mm.

Polytechnique Class of 1950 Yearbook❦ Polytechnique X promotion 1950

Illustrated Holy Bible Testament by Abbé Meissas❦ Testament Histoire Sainte comprenant l’Ancien et le Nouveau Testament Hetzel

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