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

Bells and Carillons Exhibition 1983❦ CLOCHES ET CARILLONS – 14-23 JANVIER 1983 – EXPOSITION A LA DECOUVERTE DES CARIL

Joyce Mansour’s Surreal Avian Imagery❦ MANSOUR, Joyce Rapaces Seghers

Pierre Benoit’s colonial adventure quartet in elegant bindings❦ Benoit (Pierre) Axelle, l’Atlantide, Alberte, le roi lépreux

Paranormal phenomena: science meets the supernatural❦ Fantôme Devaux (Pierre) Les fantomes devant la science

Berliet Diesel Technical Manual 1976❦ Berliet Diesel ETAI 1976

Police Dog Training Manual, circa 1920❦ Chien GERSBACH R Manuel de dressage des chiens de police

Richard de Bas papermakers and their mills❦ Richard de Bas, les papetiers et leurs moulins

17th-century legal dictionary in antique binding❦ Lexicum juris civilis et canonici theoretici …1600

General History of Marionettes❦ Marionnette CHESNAIS Histoire générale des marionnettes 1947

French Army in 1897: Picard's Illustrated Military Survey❦ Armée Commandant Louis-Auguste Picard L’Armée en France et à l’étranger 1897

Parisian Election Ball Satire❦ Le Bal des élections

French friendship: Rolland & Péguy’s letters❦ ROLLAND ROMAIN / SAFFREY ALFRED UNE AMITIE FRANCAISE + dédicace

Naumann & Zirkel’s 1901 Mineralogy Elements❦ Mineralogie Elemente der Mineralogie 1901

Toby Finck & Sons: Rare Ephemeral Pamphlet❦ chien TOBY FINCK & FILS

Wolfgang Paalen: A Surrealist Vision❦ WOLFGANG PAALEN 1980

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