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

Guerin’s Centaur and Bacchante with Dedications❦ GUERIN MAURICE LE CENTAURE, Suivi de LA BACCHANTE…Reliquiae 1905+ dédicaces

Madame la Duchesse’s Secretary❦ TINSEAU Le Secrétaire de Madame la Duchesse

Alfred’s Picturesque Tour of France in 1841❦ Alfred ou le Jeune Voyageur en France 1841

Robert Macaire’s extraordinary life❦ MONTORGUEIL (Georges) La vie extraordinaire de Robert Macaire

Pierre Louÿs autograph letter to Madame Fernand Gregh❦ LOUYS Pierre Louys lettre autographe signée

1858 travel album of the Götha Canal❦ SUEDE GOTHA album for travellers on the Götha canal 1858

History of Châtelet and Paris Parliament (1847)❦ Chatelet Histoire du Chatelet et du Parlement de Paris 1847

Classic early 20th-century childcare guides❦ Puériculture LA PUERICULTURE PRATIQUE/ éternelle..

Cherokee with author's signed inscription❦ ECHENOZ (Jean) Cherokee + dédicace

Heister’s 18th-century surgical treatise❦ Chirurgie Laurent HEISTER Institutions de chirurgie 1770

Memoirs of Youth by Benjamin Canasson, illustrated by Sémant❦ Monteil Mémoires de jeunesse de Benjamin Canasson Illustré Sémant

1895 French Press & Political Directory❦ PRESSE – ANNUAIRE Annuaire de la Presse Française et du monde politique 1895

Zadig: Voltaire’s Oriental Tale (Critical Edition 1929)❦ Voltaire ZADIG Edition critique 1929

Biography of Jean Gerson, Paris Chancellor❦ L’Ecuy Essai Sur La Vie de Jean Gerson Chancelier de L’église et de l’université

Surrealist Poetry in Breton’s Original Edition❦ BRETON (André) Le Revolver à cheveux blancs EO

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