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

Legal manual for civil and criminal procedure❦ Droit Nouvelle pratique civile, criminelle et bénéficiale…

Architectural Disputes Review, Vol. 6 (1903-1904)❦ Ramel Revue du contentieux de l’architecture, du bâtiment tome 6 ème, 1903..

Complete works of Alfred de Musset: poetry, tales, and plays❦ MUSSET ALFRED OEUVRES COMPLETES POESIES CONTES ET NOUVELLES, COMEDIES ET PR…

Gilles Gorriti: Paintings & Lithographs❦ Gilles Gorriti – Peintures – Lithographies

Chemical fertilizers: 1868 results❦ Engrais Résultats obtenus en 1868 au moyen des engrais chimiques

Courier’s Calabrian Adventure❦ COURIER Une aventure en Calabre

Rudyard Kipling’s Return to Puck❦ KIPLING Rudyard Retour de Puck ex. sur Alfax

The Epic of Skiing: A Historical Journey❦ ski L’épopée du ski. Préface de Frison-Roche

Alexis Bouvier’s 1883 novel on poverty❦ Bouvier, Alexis Les pauvres 1883

Koenigsmark: A 1946 bibliophile edition❦ BENOIT Pierre TOUCHAGUES koenigsmark

Wagner’s Memoirs of a Turbulent Era❦ WAGNER (Richard). Ma vie (1813-1864) Traduction de N. Valentin et A. Schenk 1911

Reims Tales with Meissonier & Foulquier Illustrations❦ Reims Contes Remois. Dessins de E. Meissonier & de Foulquier 1864

Cameroon to Hoggar, 1945❦ DU CAMEROUN AU HOGGAR 1945

Béranger’s posthumous works: Last songs❦ Beranger Oeuvres posthumes de Beranger. Dernieres chansons MINI

Marcel Prévost’s ‘Marie-des-Angoisses’ with author’s inscription❦ Prevost Marcel Marie-des-Angoisses + dédicace

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