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

hunting PIAUT-BEAUREVOIR. Hunting lessons on shooting in the field MANUFRANCE❦ chasse PIAUT-BEAUREVOIR. Leçons de chasse a tir sur le terrain MANUFRANCE

MITCHEL, Margaret Autant en emporte le vent. NRF 1939❦ MITCHELL, Margaret Autant en emporte le vent. NRF 1939

CERVANTÈS HISTOIRE DE L'ADMIRABLE DON QUICHOTTE. illustrated by Bertall, 1888❦ CERVANTÈS HISTOIRE DE L’ADMIRABLE DON QUICHOTTE . illustré Bertall 1888

Maupassant Contes du jour et de la nuit ill-Cousturier

Confessions of Saint Augustine 1743❦ Confessions de Saint Augustin 1743

Rabelais, Works of Rabelais collated from the original editions❦ Rabelais, Oeuvres de Rabelais collationnées sur les éditions originales

Gulliver SWIFT Gulliver’s Travels to Distant Lands 1841❦ Gulliver SWIFT Voyages de Gulliver dans des contrées lointaines 1841

curiosa LONDRES ALBERT. THE ROAD TO BUENOS AIRES - THE SLAVE TRADE❦ curiosa LONDRES ALBERT. LE CHEMIN DE BUENOS AIRES- LA TRAITE DES BLANCHES

Murger H. Scenes de la Vie de Bohème ex sur Lafuma

Chamisso Schlémihl or the man who lost his shadow 1887❦ CHAMISSO Schlémihl ou l’homme qui a perdu son ombre 1887

Translator dictionary Lilliput German French English miniature 36 × 50 mm❦ traducteur dict. lilliput Deutsch franzosich english minuscule 36 x 50 mm.

Deutsch-Greek & Greek-German lilliput 50 x 33 mm❦ Deutsch-Griechisch & Griechisch-Deutsch lilliput 50 x 33 mm.

Dutch-French/French-Dutch Lilliput 50 x 38 mm❦ néerlandais-français/français-néerlandais lilliput 50 x 38 mm.

POMPIER: The Fabulous American Fire Engines❦ POMPIER les Fabuleux Véhicules d’ Incendie Américains

L'Anti-Radoteur, or Le Petit Philosophe Moderne, 1785❦ radoteur L’ANTI – RADOTEUR, OU LE PETIT PHILOSOPHE MODERNE 1785

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