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

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

Rare 18th-Century Philosophical Dining Discourse❦ Allemagne Les Soirées Philosophiques du Cuisinier du Roi de Prusse 1785

Gorky’s Memoirs in French Translation❦ GORKI MAXIME Notes et souvenirs Calmann-Lévy, Paris 1926

Imitation of Christ with Lamennais' Reflections 1865❦ IMITATION DE JESUS CHRIST 1865

1782 German-French Dictionary, Rare Edition❦ Allemagne Nouveau Dictionnaire Allemand-François et François-Allemand 1782

Hector Malot’s tender family novel❦ MALOT (Hector). La petite sœur

Rimbaud’s ‘Vowels’ in Camacho’s Edition❦ Rimbaud vocales Camacho

Mirabeau: A Libertine’s Confession❦ Curiosa LE COMTE DE MIRABEAU LE LIBERTIN DE QUALITE OU MA CONVERSION

1930 Biographical Directory of US Government Officials❦ Who’s Who in Government (Vol.I only) The Biographical Research Bureau

Album of Edward VII's Funeral by Le Bon Marché❦ BON MARCHE Funérailles du roi d’Angleterre Edouard VII

The Legend of Beasts: The Adam Worm❦ LA NEZIERE LE CORDIER La Légende des Bêtes. Le Ver Adam

André Breton’s surrealist silver print, 1948❦ SURRÉALISTE André BRETON photo argentique 20 x 15 cm. 1948

Jules Renard’s Unpublished Journals (1887–1905)❦ RENARD (Jules) Journal Inédit 1887-1895, 1896-1899, 1900-1902, 1903-1905

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