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

Napoleon: Hoche’s Childhood in Job’s Illustrations❦ Napoléon Le neveu de la fruitière ou l’enfance de Hoche…JOB

Dubout's Bawdy Tales from 1947❦ Dubout HISTOIRES GRIVOISES – DUBOUT 1947

36mm plaster medal❦ Médaille en plâtre 36 mm

LEQUINIO: Radical Enlightenment in 1793❦ révolution Lequinio Les Préjugés détruits 1793

La Bruyère & Theophrastus: Characters (1829)❦ LA BRUYERE / THEOPHRASTE Les Caractères de La Bruyère 1829

MISTRAL’s 1901 signed letter to Régnier❦ MISTRAL Frédéric Carte-Lettre autographe signée 19 mai 1901

Racine’s Complete Works in 1817 Didot Edition❦ RACINE (Jean) Oeuvres de Jean Racine Didot-1817 mini

Surreal love in André Breton’s manifesto❦ SURREALISME BRETON André: L’amour fou. Paris, Gallimard, collection Métamorphose

Plaster Seal Medal, 42mm❦ Médaille Sceaux en plâtre 42 mm

Traditional Costumes of Aquitaine❦ COSTUMES TRADITIONNELS D’AQUITAINE

Surrealist Collage Exhibition 1978❦ surréaliste GALERIE LE TRISKÈLE. Le Collage Surréaliste en 1978

François Villon’s Complete Works with Illustrations❦ Villon Françoys Les oeuvres de Françoys Villon de Paris contenant Les Lais…

MAUPASSANT's La Maison Tellier (1891)❦ MAUPASSANT La Maison Tellier 1891

Miro’s Lithographs at Fondation Maeght 1968❦ Miro. Fondation Maeght 1968. Saint Paul MIRO Lithographies

Louis Capdevielle’s Pyrenean Journey❦ Louis Capdevielle Pyrénées

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