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

Madeira 1965: A photographic journey❦ Madère 1965

Nostradamus: Histories and Prophecies to 2000❦ Nostradamus, Historien et prophète : Les prophéties de 1555 à l’an 2000

Henry Bataille autograph letter signed 18 Nov 1918❦ Henry Bataille belle lettre autographe signée 18 novembre 1918

Parisian High Society Directory 1939❦ Bottin mondain 1939

Francion’s Comic Adventures by Charles Sorel❦ SOREL Charles Histoire comique de Francion

Oceania: Geographical and Ethnographic Survey of the Pacific❦ Océanie DOMENY DE RIENZI L’UNIVERS océanie ou cinquième partie de monde 1836

Modern Ballet Dictionary 1957❦ danse Dictionnaire du ballet moderne 1957

Fique Family 1883 Parisian Album❦ Famille Fique 1883

Sea Foam by Reverdy, 1925❦ REVERDY (Pierre) Écumes de la mer 1925

Blanche Ré in Youthful Days❦ Île de Ré Blanche Ré au temps de notre jeunesse

Neolithic Anatolia: 9th–6th Millennia BC❦ Neolithic of Central Anatolia

Ernest Raynaud’s Poetic Tribute to Fernand Gregh❦ Raynaud Ernest La Couronne des jours Envoi de l’auteur

Therapeutic virtues of chocolate❦ chocolat Robert Hervé (Dr) Les vertus thérapeutiques du chocolat ou comment…

Hubert Robert's Rome in Sanguine, 1930❦ Rome d’Hubert Robert 1930 SANGUINES

Victorian-era satire on literary dining culture❦ dîner L’art de diner en ville à l’usage des gens de Lettres… 1861

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