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

Dervishes of Hind and Sind❦ DERVICHES du Hind et du Sind

Till Eulenspiegel: A European Legend in Art❦ Till l’Espiègle. La Légende de Till Ulenspiegle. 1943

Gray’s Poetical Works in Leather Binding❦ THE POETICAL WORKS OF THOMAS GRAY 1840

Blanchet: 18th-Century Seats & Furniture (1934)❦ Blanchet: Sieges et meubles du XVIIIe siecle.1934

Japanese Cinema by Tadao Sato❦ Japon SATO Le cinéma japonais. Centre Georges Pompidou

Rare Russian tales in elegant binding❦ TOURGUENIEFF, Ivan. L’abandonnée suivie de Jacques Passinkof et de Andreï Koloso

Priapean Gardens - Rare 1915 Poetry Collection❦ Bertrand, Adrien Les jardins de priape – Poèmes + dédicace

Maurras’ letter to Pope Pius XI with rare bibliophile history❦ Maurras, Charles Lettre de Charles Maurras à Sa Sainteté Le Pape Pie XI

19th-century biographical compendium in 13 volumes❦ MARIANI FIGURES CONTEMPORAINES 13 volumes

The Watteau of Lille: Louis and François Watteau❦ Watteau de Lille Louis Watteau ( 1731-1798 ). François Watteau (1758-1823)

Proudhon on Property: A Radical 19th-Century Debate❦ Proudhon Qu’est-ce que la propriété? 1873

Pyrenees guidebook by Joanne, 1873❦ Joanne Pyrénées 1873

Judicial Eloquence Lessons and Models, 1838❦ BERRYER Leçons et modèles d’éloquence judiciaire 1838

Illustrated History of New Caledonia❦ Calédonie Histoire illustrée de la Nouvelle-Calédonie

Rare 1918 Bordeaux library catalog with Gascony & Basque heritage❦ Bibliothèque de Feu M. Ernest Labadie 1918 Bordeaux, la Gironde, la Gascogne et

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