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

Huysmans' Catholic Pages 1904❦ J.-K. Huysmans Pages catholiques 1904

Désaugiers' Songs and Poetry in Elzevir Style❦ MINI Désaugiers Chansons et poésies. Édition elzévirienne

Marius, Fanny, César by Marcel Pagnol❦ Pagnol Marcel Marius – Fanny – César

Sainte-Constance de Saverdun and Saint-Sernin’s temporal origins❦ Sainte-Constance de Saverdun aux origines du temporel de Saint-Sernin Ariège

Guerard’s 1994 Menu Artistry❦ cuisine GUERARD MICHEL MENU 1994

Physics treatise on mechanics and heat❦ Traité de Physique Générale et Expérimentale mécanique et chaleur

Freud’s Letters to Marie Bonaparte❦ Bonaparte, Sigmund Freud Marie Bonaparte Correspondance

Volney’s Selected Works in Miniature Binding❦ VOLNEY Oeuvres choisies de C.-F. Volney 1828 mini

Provisional Artillery Manual on Muzzle-Loaded Cannons 1880❦ Artillerie Instruction provisoire sur le Projet de Bouche à feu 1880

Epilogues: Reflections on Life❦ Gourmont, Rémy de Epilogues : reflexions sur la vie EO 1904

King Pausole’s Curious Adventures illustrated by Bécat❦ Curiosa aventures du roi Pausole Bécat sur vélin

Memoirs of a Russian Schoolboy❦ LAURIE Mémoires d’un collégien russe HETZEL

France in its Colonies around 1899❦ FRANCE AUX COLONIES (vers 1899)

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

Scattered Confessions: Rare Novel❦ curiosa CONFIDENCES EGAREES

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