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

Frans Hals: A Masterful Monograph❦ FRANS HALS

Lyric Studies with pastoral poetry❦ DU PLESSYS Etudes lyriques…premier livre pastoral + lettre au ministre

Resistance literature in clandestine 1943-45 editions❦ Editions de Minuit, vélin, publiés clandestinement.. lettrés patriotes 1944

JOBARD optical instruments catalog from 1895❦ Lunette manufacture de lunetterie & d’instruments d’optique JOBARD

Venice: History of the Republic (1847)❦ Venise Histoire de la République de Venise 1847

Autograph letter by Pierre Louÿs❦ Pierre Louÿs BELLE LETTRE AUTOGRAPHE MANUSCRITE

Monetary Problem & Its Solution (1891)❦ Boissevain, Gideon Maria Le problème monétaire et sa solution 1891

Sabatier’s 1777 Human Anatomy Treatise❦ anatomie M.SABATIER TRAITE COMPLET D’ANATOMIE OU DESCRIPTION 1777

Old houses, old papers: 1906 Lenotre collection❦ Vieilles maisons, vieux papiers. Troisième série.1906 LENOTRE

19th-c. funeral orations by Flechier, Mascaron & Bourdaloue❦ FLECHIER MASCARON, BOURDALOUE Oraisons funèbres 1826

Marmande Proscriptions of 1851❦ Marmande PROSCRIPTIONS DE MARMANDE (LOT ET GARONNE) 2 DECEMBRE 1851

Prison Poets: 1943 Poetry Special❦ POETES PRISONNIERS. CAHIER SPECIAL DE POESIE 1943

Alsace’s Hero: General Serret’s Fate❦ BORDEAUX (Henry). Pour l’Alsace. Vie et mort du général Serret

History of Portugal’s Revolutions❦ VERTOT Abbé HISTOIRE DES RÉVOLUTIONS DE PORTUGAL Didot 1806

Malraux’s Art Psychology Trilogy❦ Malraux Psychologie de l’art SKIRA EO

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