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

Nabis: Decorative Arts & Graphic Arts❦ Nabis arts décoratifs, La sculpture, Les arts graphiques, Les nabis et le théâtr

Poésies with Silbermann's drawings and postface❦ DUCASSE (Isidore). Poésies. Dessins et postface de Jean-Claude Silbermann

Guyane Okâ: Folktales from Afar❦ Guyane Okâ. Ecoute. la nouvelle qui vient de loin Conte Original 1995

Rousseau’s 1817 Music Dictionary❦ ROUSSEAU Jean-Jacques.- Dictionnaire de Musique 1817

Advertising Art in Daily Life 1984❦ Un Art Du Quotidien ; L’objet Publicitaire 1984

Magritte Retrospective 1978-1979❦ MAGRITTE RETROSPECTIVE MAGRITTE 1978

Nobilis: Hours of the House in Splendid Art❦ Nobilis les heures de la maison PUBLICITE

AMIEL’s unpublished intimate journal fragments❦ AMIEL Philine, fragments inédits du journal intime. Publiés par Bernard Bos

Lithography Manual for Printers❦ Imprimerie MANUEL COMPLET DE L’IMPRIMEUR LITHOGRAPHE

Bourdelle on Rodin: Sculptural Dialogues❦ Rodin BOURDELLE ANTOINE LA SCULPTURE ET RODIN

Saint-Just family genealogy over four centuries❦ Saint-Just, François de François de Saint-Just. Témoins de quatre siècles

A tale of the year 2000: From José to young Albarez❦ Conte d’avant l’an 2000 de José à José Albarez enfant de la Treille et disciple

Quatrains on Seasons and Life by Garnier❦ Garnier, Auguste Pierre La Branche de gui ou Recueil de Quatrains + dédicace

Love Through the Ages Illustrated by Masters❦ L’amour dans tous les temps, dessins de BAC, ROBIDA, SAHIB, L.Vallet

Classic French recipes from the Mère Denis❦ Recettes préférées de la Mère Denis. 365 menus, 365 recettes. Un an de bonne cui

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