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

Rustic and Stylish Ironwork❦ Ferronnerie, rustique et de style

Breton Muse: 1850–1950 Art from Rennes❦ La Muse bretonne Collections du musée des Beaux-Arts de Rennes de 1850 à 1950

Moral tales for children with rare illustrations❦ Le petit Samson suivi des petits indépendants 1828

Three mischievous boys in 1930s Paris❦ LAUWICK Hervé LES TROIS GOSSES ill-Pecqueriaux

UNIC-OM Diesel Technical Review 1977❦ UNIC-OM Revue technique Diesel 1977

Jean Restout: History Painter in Paris❦ JEAN RESTOUT 1692 – 1768 .Peintre d’histoire à Paris

Shakespeare’s comedies in a rare 6-volume set❦ SHAKESPEARE COMEDIES DE SHAKESPEARE ill-Berthold Mahn

Perrault’s fairy tales in vintage chocolate edition❦ PERRAULT il était une fois contes édités par les chocolats MEUNIER ill-Mercier

Military biographies from 1789 to 1850❦ Biographie des célébrités militaires des armées de terre et de mer

Lyon Light Co. Photographic catalog❦ LUMIERE LYON.Lumière et ses Fils. Plaques, papiers, produits photogra

Volunteer’s One-Year Diary❦ VALLERY RADOT Journal d’un volontaire d’un an HETZEL

Danish Rosenborg Castle & Dutch Museums❦ Danemark Château de Rosenborg en Danemark Petits Musées de Hollande 1879

Geography: Key Milestones in Cartography History❦ Géographie Les Grands faits de l’histoire de la géographie 1882

Winter Dining Club Menu, 1914❦ Menu 116 janvier 914 Loir Luigi Palais d’Orsay 320EME DINER DE LA MARMITE FETE

Gravure techniques and history guide❦ gravure Les techniques de la gravure : guide des techniques et de l’histoire..

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