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

Eugénie de Guérin’s Letters❦ TREBUTIEN Lettres d’Eugénie de Guérin

Madagascar and the Catholic Mission 1895❦ MADAGASCAR ET LA MISSION CATHOLIQUE 1895

Victor Hugo’s tumultuous year in works❦ Hugo, Victor: Oeuvres de Victor Hugo l’année terrible

Marceline Desbordes-Valmore’s literary legacy❦ ZWEIG Stefan MARCELINE DESBORDES-VALMORE. Son oeuvre. 1928

Byron’s Secret by Roger Vivie de Regie❦ Byron VIVIE de REGIE secret de Byron 1927

Elementary Physics Lessons 1905❦ Physique Turpain Leçons élémentaires de physique 1905

Jules Verger: Craftsmanship and Legacy❦ JULES VERGER, SES OUVRIERS, SA MAITRISE… UNE FAMILLE 1938

Experimental Method in Humans and Animals (1883)❦ L’homme et l’animal devant la méthode expérimentale 1883

Guerre: The Faceless Doll with Dedication❦ Guerre la poupée sans visage Guillemette Marrier + documents + dédicace

The Man Who Killed: A Rare 1943 Novel❦ FARRERE CLAUDE L HOMME QUI ASSASSINA / GRAVURE DE CHARLES FOUQUERAY

Bizarre Tales by Achim von Arnim with Valentine Hugo's illustrations❦ hugo ARNIM (Achim d’) Contes bizarres. Illustrations de Valentine Hugo / JAPON

Maine-et-Loire 1901: Joanne’s illustrated geography❦ Maine-Et-Loire carte Adolphe Joanne***Géographie 49

Virgil’s Burlesque in 1858 Scarron Edition❦ SCARRON Virgile travesti en vers burlesques avec la Suite de Moreau 1858

Chronicle of the Enemy Brothers❦ THARAUD LA CHRONIQUE DES FRERES ENNEMIS 1929

Molière’s Complete Works in 8 Volumes, 1710 Edition❦ MOLIERE Les oeuvres de Monsieur de Molière 1710

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