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

1903 Geography of the Doubs Department❦ Doubs Joanne, Adolphe Géographie 1903

Fernand Gregh: Poet and Académie Française Member❦ Académicien F. Gregh argent 40 mm., 29 grs sté des auteurs et compositeurs

Moral Theology Compilation by Busenbaum & Lacroix (1724)❦ Theologia moralis antehac ex probatis auctoribus breviter concinata 1724

Lesage: The Craft of Novel Writing❦ Lesage ou le métier de romancier

76 mm plaster medal❦ Médaille en plâtre 76 mm

1903 Somme Geography by Adolphe Joanne❦ Somme carte 1903,Adolphe Joanne*** Géographie 80

A King’s Calling by Colette Yver❦ A KING’S CALLING Colette Yver 1913

French Oil Industry Prosperity❦ PETROLE AU SERVICE DE LA PROSPERITE FRANCAISE

Paul Valéry’s philosophical prose masterpieces❦ VALERY, Paul Oeuvres de Paul Valéry 1931

Goha the Simple: Gondouin’s Illustrated Edition❦ Le Livre de Goha le Simple. Illustration de Gondouin

Memoirs of Madame de Rémusat on Napoleon’s Court❦ Napoléon REMUSAT Mémoires de Madame de Rémusat

Henri Massis’ early essays with author’s inscription❦ MASSIS (Henri). Evocations, souvenirs + dédicace

Noah’s Ark by Guigou & Vimar❦ Vimar Auguste L’Arche de Noé – Paul Guigou

Nostradamus: Complete Analysis of 1999 Prophecies❦ Nostradamus, analyse complète des prophéties 1999

1880 Artistic & Literary Museum Review❦ le Musée Artistique et Littéraire 1880

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