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

Taupinal Songs by Genius❦ Recueil de chansons Taupinales Génie

Practical recipes from Tante Adèle’s kitchen❦ cuisine La cuisine de Tante Adèle. Recettes pratiques de cuisine, patisserie

Physician’s Diary of a Six-Month Struggle with Death❦ JOURNAL D’UN MEDECIN MALADE OU SIX MOIS DE LUTTE CONTRE LA MORT.

14 & 17 botanical plates with original drawings❦ herbier 14 planches & 17 planches de dessins originaux

Rudyard Kipling’s tales of life’s twists❦ KIPLING Rudyard Au hasard de la vie 1910

Popes and Cardinals in Modern Rome❦ Papes et cardinaux dans la Rome moderne

Practical lighting solutions for interiors❦ Lumière. Toutes les solutions pratiques pour éclairer votre intérieur

Québécois Dictionary by Léandre Bergeron❦ Québec BERGERON (Léandre) DICTIONNAIRE DE LA LANGUE QUÉBECOISE

1925 Geometry Manual for Grades 4 & 3❦ PRECIS DE GEOMETRIE PLANE – CLASSES DE 4è ET 3è. 1926

Benin Art: Masterpieces from the Kingdom❦ BENIN L’ART DU BENIN

Sheet Metal Layout Techniques 1948❦ traçage de chaudronnerie 1948

Algerian Architecture: 1974 Collector's Edition❦ ARCHITECTURE ALGERIENNE

Village Scholar’s Enlightenment in 1839❦ Mini MAITRE PIERRE OU LE SAVANT DE VILLAGE 1839

Camille Jordan’s Alsace and Weimar Journey❦ CAMILLE JORDAN EN ALSACE ET A WEIMAR

Thompson’s Seasons: Eighteenth-Century Miniature Edition❦ THOMPSON (James) Les saisons MINI 1795

📦 We ship antiquarian books worldwide

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