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

Jacques Perret’s rare 1955 novel with author’s inscription❦ PERRET (Jacques) Le machin Gallimard, Paris, 1955, S.P. + dédicace

Oceanic Vision at Musée Dapper❦ Vision d’Océanie Musée Dapper

Love and Aviation in Early 20th Century❦ ANNUNZIO Gabriele d’ FORSE CHE SI FORSE CHE NO EO

Origins of Freemasonry in the Scottish Century❦ Stevenson Bernheim Les origines de la Franc-maçonnerie : Le siècle écossais

Paris in the Year 3000❦ Paris en l’An 3000

Swiss Robinson Illustrated by Albert Uriet❦ Robinson Suisse Imagé par Albert Uriet

Pioneers of French Psychiatry Before & After Pinel❦ PsychiatrieSEMELAIGNE pionniers de la psychiatrie française avant & après Pinel

Legal Decisions on Ecclesiastical and Secular Matters (1615)❦ Decisions de plusieurs notables questions et differens 1615

Victorian-era photo album with velvet❦ photo album belle époque

Trivier’s African expedition aboard the Gironde❦ Afrique Mon voyage au continent noir. La “Gironde” en Afrique 1891

The Dying Land by René Bazin❦ Bazin René La terre qui meurt

Lyautey Centenary: Speeches by Duc de Lévis-Mirepoix❦ Lyautey CENTENAIRE DE LA NAISSANCE DU MARECHAL LYAUTEY DISCOURS DU DUC LEVIS…

New Soldier Songs 1877❦ Déroulède Nouveaux Chants du Soldat 1877

Spices and Lost Pages by Huysmans❦ HUYSMANS Drageoir aux Epices suivi de Pages retrouvées

Thi-Ba: A Vietnamese Girl’s Tale❦ indo Thi-Ba la petite annamite

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