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

1933 Humorous Medical Journal in Half-Leather Binding❦ Ridendo, Revue gaie pour le médecin 1933

RAF pilot’s WWII combat memoirs❦ RAF BATES H.E. A travers l’enfer & derriere les communiques 1944

1875 illustrated comic opera of Mme Angot’s daughter❦ Fille de Mme Angot. Opéra-comique en trois actes 1875

Rudyard Kipling’s barracks songs with Daragnès woodcuts❦ KIPLING (Rudyard) Chansons de la chambrée Daragnès

Penal Colony in French Guiana and New Caledonia❦ bagne GRAND LIVRE DU BAGNE EN GUYANE ET NOUVELLE-CALEDONIE

A 1913 political manifesto on monarchy and peace❦ SEMBAT marcel FAITES UN ROI SINON FAITES LA PAIX

Palladian architecture and Venetian masters at Maser❦ Palladio, Veronese e Vittoria a Maser. Introduzione di Bernard Berenson

1870 illustrated fairy tale in percaline binding❦ Princesse éblouissante illust-Bertall 1870

French Militia under Vichy Regime❦ Milice Cointet La milice Française

Athens by Edy Legrand: Acropolis engraving❦ Athènes Edy Legrand Acropole

Cinema 1936-1939: Stars, Films & Tales❦ Cinema Sa vie ses films visages et contes du cinéma 1936-1939

1808 Catechism Explanation for French Churches❦ Explication du Catéchisme à l’usage de toutes les églises de l’Empire français

Degas in the Gazette des Beaux-Arts 1924❦ Degas JAMOT PAUL DEGAS. GAZETTE DES BEAUX ARTS 1924

ALLAIS - A Dissatisfied Man, Monologue❦ ALLAIS-A Un mécontent, monologue

Russian customs in early 19th century❦ Russie DUPRE E. L’Hermite en Russie, ou observations sur les moeurs..1829

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