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

Medieval Breton feudal law study❦ Droit STROWSKI La Censive et le fief roturier en Bretagne

Frederick the Great: A New Life❦ Frédéric Le Grand Denina Nouvelle vie du Frederic II, Roi de Prusse 1789

Beekeeping guide: 40 lessons to start a hive❦ Miel Un rucher naît ( 40 leçons d’apiculture )

Victor Hugo’s Inner Voices and Shadows❦ Hugo, Victor Les Voix intérieures…

Botanical lectures from 1882❦ FABRE-J-H Lectures sur la botanique 1882

Welsh Bards: A Breton-Markale Anthology❦ (BRETON André) MARKALE Jean Les grands bardes gallois

Speech Organs and Sound Formation 1885❦ Voix organes de la parole 1885

Waverley in early 19th-century France❦ Sir Walter Scott Waverley, ou il y a soixante ans MINI

Roman heritage of the Rhine Valley❦ Rhénanie Quatre villes romaines de Rhénanie, Trèves -Mayence-Bonn-Cologne

Jules Renard’s rare portrait edition of 'The Freeloader'❦ RENARD Jules. L’écornifleur portrait gravé & ex sur Lafuma

Final adventure of a forty-five-year-old man❦ BRETONNE RESTIF DE LA DERNIERE AVENTURE D’UN HOMME DE QUARANTE-CINQ ANS

Paris historical handbook❦ Lemoine Manuel d’histoire de Paris

Jean Rostand’s 1931 transformism study with author’s dedication❦ Jean Rostand – Etat présent du transformisme + dédicace

Avant-garde poetry collection❦ PICHETTE Rond-point [suivi de Joyce au participe futur et de Pages pour Chapli..

Goethe’s Theatre in 1839 Paris Edition❦ Goethe théâtre de Goethe 1839

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