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

Georges BERNANOS The Great Fear of the Respectable. Edouard Drumont❦ Georges BERNANOS La grande peur des bien-pensants. Edouard Drumont

Laurence Sterne, The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy❦ STERNE, Laurence LA VIE ET LES OPINIONS DE TRISTRAM SHANDY

GUITRY (Sacha). Women and you. Illustrated reflections by the author❦ GUITRY (Sacha). Elles et toi. Réflexions illustrées par l’auteur

curiosa Louÿs Pierre. Les aventures du Roi Pausole. Illustrations de Schem

miniature Christie's London Treasured Portraits from Collection of Holzscheiter❦ miniature Christie’s London Treasured Portraits from Collection of Holzscheiter

grimm GRIMM Contes de Grimm. Blanche Neige ill- Evariste❦ grimm GRIMM Contes de Grimm. Blanche Neige ill-Evariste

mantes THE URBAN DISTRICT OF MANTES FROM PAST TO FUTURE❦ mantes LE DISTRICT URBAIN DE MANTES DU PASSE VERS LE FUTUR

Fénelon Works of Fénelon, Archbishop-Duke of Cambrai 1822❦ Fénelon Oeuvres de Fénélon, archevêque-duc de Cambrai 1822

Mousquetaires Dumas Les Trois Mousquetaires illustrated by CHOPY in etchings❦ mousquetaires Dumas Les Trois Mousquetaires illustr-CHOPY en eaux-fortes

Saïgon NAUDIN The Angkor Group as Seen by Foreign Writers and Artists❦ Saïgon NAUDIN Le Groupe d’Angkor vu par les Ecrivains et les Artistes étrangers

monaco SUN TOWER catalogue SO ARI building for sale 1960❦ monaco SUN TOWER catalogue SO ARI immeuble à vendre 1960

Lamartine Graziella, illustrations by Brunelleschi❦ Lamartine Graziella, illustrations de Brunelleschi

imprimerie DEGAAST Industries graphiques: conferences of technical education❦ imprimerie DEGAAST Industries graphiques : conférences d’enseignement technique

French Souvenir Through the Centuries: 1887‑2017❦ Souvenir Français à travers les siècles: 1887-2017

Seneca Works of Lucius Annaeus Seneca by Matthieu de Chaluet 1624❦ seneque Oeuvres de Luc Ann. Seneque par Matthieu de Chaluet 1624

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