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

18th-century French royal memoirs collection❦ Petitot et Monmerqué Collection des Mémoires relatifs à l’histoire de France

Spiritual reflections in Breton from 1878❦ Buhé er saent guet reflexioneu spirituel aveit peb dé ag er blai 1878

Pasquier Chronicles in 10 volumes by DUHAMEL, illustrated by B. Mann❦ DUHAMEL Chroniques des Pasquier illustré par B. Mann

Social Issues - A Fresh Perspective on Work❦ SOCIALES – UN AUTRE ESPRIT ARGENT TRAVAIl

DORAT’s Poetic Works, Geneva 1777❦ DORAT Claude Joseph POESIES DE DORAT Genéve CAZIN 1777

Napoleon’s Financial Letters to Count Mollien❦ Napoléon financier Cuba, Lettres au Comte Mollien

Travel journal 1911–1913❦ Voyage journal des voyages 1911-1913

Moroccan Alaouite Order Commander Patent 1937❦ Brevet commandeur de l’Ordre du Ouissam Alaouite Chérifien 1937

Victor Hugo’s Complete Dramatic Works in 4 Volumes❦ HUGO Drame. Cromwell. Hernani. Marion Delorme. Le Roi s’amuse. Lucrèce Borgia..

Voltaire’s epic poem on Henry IV with critical essay❦ Voltaire Henriade en dix chants avec la dissertation sur la mort d’Henri IV 1791

Cervantes' Don Quixote in 1821 Paris Edition❦ CERVANTES L’Ingénieux Chevalier don Quixote 1821

Marcel Achard’s rare love stories with author’s dedication❦ Achard, Marcel Nouvelles histoires d’amour + dédicace

Roger Peyrefitte’s Saint-Pierre Keys with inscription❦ PEYREFITTE Roger Les clés de Saint-Pierre + dédicace

Courboin’s Print Catalogue: Rare 1900 Reserve❦ Courboin Catalogue sommaire des gravures et lithographies composant la reserve

Uncle Thomas by PIGAULT-LEBRUN (1800)❦ PIGAULT-LEBRUN Mon Oncle Thomas 1800

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