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

Victor Caffin faience Cauderan‑Bordeaux❦ faïencerie Victor CAFFIN cauderan-Bordeaux

Banmeyer Collection Sotheby's Johannesburg 1984❦ Banmeyer collection SOTHEBY’S Johannesburg 1984

Bernard Moninot, paintings and drawings. 29 February - 7 April 1980 MAEGHT❦ Bernard Moninot, peintures et dessins. 29 février – 7 avril 1980 MAEGHT

Sheila Hicks, Quai Branly, silk❦ soie Lévi-Strauss Sheila Hicks Quai Branly

fable petit fabuliste de la jeunesse 32 x 46 mm. miniature

Mardrus, Le Livre des Mille Nuits et Une Nuits❦ MARDRUS LE LIVRE DES MILLE NUITS ET UNE NUITS

Valleys of the Barège. Barèges - Luz - Gèdre - Gavarnie and canton communities❦ vallées du Barège. Barèges – Luz – Gèdre – Gavarnie et communautés de canton

Gascon DE GERDE BERNADETA - BERNADETTE - PASTORAL POEM❦ gascon DE GERDE BERNADETA – BERNADETTE – POEME PASTORAL

Syria and Lebanon HELIOGRAVURES 1932❦ Syrie et Liban HELIOGRAVURES 1932

Algeria ISNARD L'Algérie❦ algérie ISNARD L’Algérie

gascon le vrai baron de batz 1908

Virgil (Publius Vergilius Maro) Complete Works of Virgil PANCKOUCKE 1833❦ VIRGILE (Publius Vergelius Maro) Oeuvres complètes de Virgile PANCKOUCKE 1833

Anatole FRANCE Histoire comique + inscribed presentation copy + Letter to Dr F. Le Dantec❦ Anatole FRANCE histoire comique + dédicace + Lettre aux Dr F. Le Dantec

Saint Augustin Les soliloques le manuel et les méditations de ST AUGUSTIN 1756

Establissements Dorian - Holtzer - Jackson et Cie, Manufacture of Agricultural Tools❦ Etablissements Dorian – Holtzer – Jackson et Cie, Manufacture d’Outils agricoles

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