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

Strasbourg Historical Museum Guide❦ Strasbourg Musée historique de la ville de Strasbourg

Lamartine’s Literary Lectures in 8 Volumes❦ LAMARTINE, Alphonse de Cours Familier de Littérature

Spain in Light and Shadow❦ Espagne GAMARRA 1961 Ombre et lumière d’Espagne. Photos de Nicole Brun

Floating Word by Guy Cabanel❦ SURRÉALISTE Guy Cabanel Le verbe flottant ill-Zimmermann

Gazing at flesh in shop windows❦ Beeckman Missir je regarde la chair dans les vitrines

Toulouse archives inventory pre-1790❦ Toulouse Roschach ville de Toulouse inventaire des archives communales..

Erotic Clerical Bibliography 1879❦ érotique Bibliographie clérico-galante. 1879

Mondor’s study on Barrès before Quartier Latin❦ MONDOR (Henri).- Maurice Barrès avant le quartier latin + dédicace

18th-century Ottoman and Mughal engravings❦ Islam Vizir, Turcs, Janissaires, Mogol.. 7 planches gravées sur acier

1882 leather document case with calligraphy and heraldry❦ Etui 16 février 1882 plein cuir CORRESPONDANCE ART D’ECRIRE ARMOIRIE

Mademoiselle de Milly - A Novel of the Belle Époque❦ MADEMOISELLE DE MILLY – ROMAN.

Baudelaire’s Collaborative Works (1932)❦ BAUDELAIRE Charles Oeuvres en collaboration 1932

Micaschistes and granites of Millevaches plateau❦ Millevaches micaschistes et granites 1965

Moral tales for family life❦ STAHL P J. MORALE FAMILIERE. CONTES RECITS. LECONS PRATIQUES DE LA VIE. HETZEL

Early French edition of Wells' time travel classic❦ SF WELLS La Machine à explorer le temps (The Time machine) 1906

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