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

MONTHERLANT'S Definitive 'Rose of Sand'❦ MONTHERLANT LA ROSE DE SABLE – EDITION DEFINITIVE. GALLIMARD 1968

Kipling’s Mountain Tales in French❦ KIPLING (Rudyard) Simples Contes de la Montagne 1929

Comprehensive Masonic Encyclopedia❦ Franc-maçonnerie Dictionnaire universel de la Franc-Maçonnerie

Chinese Drama by Pierre Loti❦ Loti Pierre LA FILLE DU CIEL – DRAME CHINOIS

Northern Syria’s natural and inhabited spaces (10th–2nd millennia BCE)❦ Espace naturel, espace habité en Syrie du nord..

LAMENNAIS’ New Gospel Translation with Reflections❦ LAMENNAIS Les Evangiles, traduction nouvelle

Heritage of Northern France's Communes❦ Nord Patrimoine des Communes du Nord. P., Flohic 59

Refractory’s Journey: A Rare 1873 Pamphlet❦ VALLES Jules RICHEPIN Les Étapes d’un réfractaire

Brittany's Enclosed Breton Churches❦ Bretagne ENCLOS BRETONS. Chefs-d’oeuvre de l’art populaire

Daudet’s Letters from My Mill with Chopy’s Illustrations❦ Daudet ; Illustrations de C. Chopy Lettres de mon moulin

Gorky’s Harrowing Childhood Memoir❦ Gorki Maxime Une tragique enfance

Gaignt’s rare book catalog supplement❦ GAIGNAT SUPPLÉMENT A LA BIBLIOGRAPHIE INSTRUCTIVE ou CATALOGUE DES LIVRES DU CAB

Fantastic Bestiary of the South❦ BESTIAIRE FANTASTIQUE DU SUD

Gaëtan Faradel: Around the World Champion❦ SEMANT Gaëtan Faradel, Champion du Tour du Monde

Montaigne’s Essays in Garnier edition❦ Montaigne Essais GARNIER

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