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

Valérie by Madame de Krüdener (1878) - Rare Luxury Edition❦ Valérie de Madame de Krüdener 1878 Quantin

Georges Henein: Complete Works in Poetry, Prose, and Essays❦ Henein, Georges. Oeuvres. Poèmes, récits, essais, articles et pamphlets

Rare erotic tale from 1881❦ érotique Le hasard du coin du feu 1881

The Minstrel’s Journey of Genius (1836)❦ Minstrel or the progress of genius 1836 MINI

Floral Games Academy Toulouse Collection❦ RECUEIL DE L’ACADEMIE DES JEUX FLORAUX Toulouse

1930s Parisian department store director novel❦ PINCHON J.-P. FRIMOUSSET DIRECTEUR DES GRANDS MAGASINS AMELONDE

Paris demolished: Gautier’s preface in fine binding❦ Paris démoli + envoi de l’auteur à Fournier académicien/ reliure de Pagnant

Maliduse: A rare signed edition❦ CABANEL (Guy). Maliduse. Les Loups sont fâchés, coll. “Le rayon invisible” 2009

Petrusmok: Myth and Dedication by Malcolm de Chazal❦ CHAZAL Malcolm PETRUSMOK. Mythe + dédicace

Xavier de Maistre’s introspective tales with Musset’s ex-libris❦ MAISTRE (Xavier) Oeuvres Voyage autour de ma chambre…ex-libris de A. de MUSSET

Jorge Camacho: Prologue to the Song of Sands❦ Jorge Camacho. Prologue du chant des sables

Dogmatic and Moral Dissertation from 1777❦ DISSERTATION DOGMATIQUE ET MORALE, OU, LETTRE D’UN PRIEUR A UN AMI 1777

Goncourt Brothers’ Literary Memoirs❦ GONCOURT Edmond & Jules Mémoires de la vie littéraire EO

Quincibald’s Legend by Leonard Bacon❦ BACON, Leonard The Legend of Quincibald signed

1830 Domestic Encyclopedia of Arts, Crafts & Rural Life❦ FOSSET Adolphe ‎Encyclopédie domestique,arts et métiers, économie rurale 1830

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