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

Venetian Painting Studies with German Universities Overview❦ Etudes sur la Peinture Vénitienne, suivies d’une notice sur les Universités d…

Treasures of Bayeux Cathedral: Goldsmithing & Reliquaries❦ ORFEVRERIE TRESORS de la CATHEDRALE de BAYEUX RELIQUAIRE OSTENSOIR…

Wells’ Whimsical Cycling Adventure❦ SF WELLS H. G. LA BURLESQUE EQUIPEE DU CYCLISTE EO

Mam’zelle Vertu – A New Game❦ LAVEDAN MAM’ZELLE VERTU – Le nouveau jeu

Parisian Vignettes: Early 20th Century Illustrated Stories❦ PETITES IMAGES DE PARIS (1ère Série)

Marie Bashkirtseff’s Unpublished Intimate Journals❦ BASHKIRTSEFF (Marie). Cahiers intimes inédits de Marie Bashkirtseff

RYNER’s public lectures (1901–1919)❦ RYNER Face au public – Première série 1901-1919.

Royal collections from Versailles to Paris❦ Collection De Versailles à Paris : le destin des collections royales

17th-century French horse medicine manual❦ Cheval LE GRAND MARÉCHAL EXPERT ET FRANÇOIS 17ème

Norman History by AIME (1892)❦ Normandie Ystoire de li Normant 1892

Carlègle’s 1905 Automobile Album❦ Carlègle – Edmond Cuénoud : L’Automobile 217 UU

Hittites: Archaeological Knowledge in 1939❦ Ce que nous savons des Hittites 1939

Music in 19th-Century Savoy❦ la musique en Savoie au XIXe siècle

Complete surrealist anthology by Pauvert❦ Surréalisme LE SURREALISME MÊME n°1 à 5, collection complète Pauvert

1936 Saint-Gobain chemical fertilizer calendar❦ 1936 calpin calendrier Engrais chimiques manufacture Saint-Gobain 74 x 125 mm.

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