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

1822 Greek Epistles & Gospels in Miniature Binding❦ epistolae et evangelia 1822 mini

BLOK’s Twelve: Russian Revolution in Verse❦ BLOK Alexandre Les Douze ill-Annenkov

Escoffier’s Classic Culinary Guide❦ cuisine Auguste Escoffier Le guide culinaire : Aide-mémoire de cuisine pratique

Royal Court Almanac 1823❦ Almanach de la cour 1823

Bonchamps' Wife's Memoirs of the Revolution❦ Révolution Bonchamps Mémoires de Madame la Marquise 1827

Typographic training bulletin 1961-62❦ Typographie bulletin des cours de perfectionnement du syndicat 1961-62

Paper and Printing in 17th-Century France❦ PAPIER – L’IMPRIMERIE E. Binet

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