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

Legends of Christmas: Historical Tales❦ noël Légendes de Noël contes historiques

Saint-Exupéry, Antoine de The Little Prince with author's drawings half-binding. Good❦ SAINT-EXUPERY, ANTOINE de Le petit Prince dessins de l’auteur cart. Bonet

Sepik: arts of Papouasie-Nouvelle-Guinée❦ Sepik : arts de Papouasie-Nouvelle-Guinée

Boris Vian works 1999. 7-volume slipcase set❦ Boris Vian oeuvres 1999. COFFRET 7 volumes

Albert Dubout The photographers of Dubout❦ Dubout (Albert) Les photographes de Dubout

Peasant Recipes of the High Pyrenees 65❦ recettes paysannes des hautes Pyrénées 65

Africa civilization Sereer PANGOOL COSAAN Preface by Léopold Sedar Senghor❦ afrique civilisation Sereer PANGOOL COSAAN Préface de Léopold Sedar Senghor

cagots ENIGMA OF THE CAGOTS HISTORY OF AN EXCLUSION❦ cagots ENIGME DES CAGOTS HISTOIRE D’UNE EXCLUSION

Louis-Ferdinand Céline, Mort à crédit (Collection du millénaire), Gallimard❦ CELINE LOUIS FERDINAND Mort à crédit (Collection du millénaire) GALLIMARD

PROUST DIESBACH PROUST

SAMIVEL THE FLUTE PLAYER OF HAMELIN 1942❦ SAMIVEL LE JOUEUR DE FLUTE DE HAMELIN 1942

Versailles National School of Horticulture at the Ancient Potager du Roi❦ versailles ECOLE NATIONALE D’HORTICULTURE AU POTAGER ANCIEN POTAGER DU ROI

Larressingle in Condomois. Description and history❦ Larressingle en Condomois. Description et histoire

Monnaie: Notice on National Coinage and the Orléans Mint 1898❦ monnaie notice sur le monnayage national et l’atelier d’Orléans 1898

Clinique Médicale de l'Hôtel-Dieu de Paris 1898❦ Clinique Medicale de L’Hotel Dieu de Paris 1898

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