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

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

Esperanto Dictionnaire français-esperanto et esperanto-français Radikaro 1908

Montherlant Demain il fera jour. Three acts. Gallimard Blanche❦ MONTHERLANT Demain il fera jour. Trois actes Gallimard blanche

The Preservation of French Art. Cahiers n° 23 Aid to Rural Churches❦ La sauvegarde de l’Art Français. Cahiers n° 23 Aide aux églises rurales

Pierre Loti Le désert❦ Loti Pierre Le désert

URSS LA FRANCE AU ORDRE D'UN CADAVRE by M. Druon the zombie URSS omnipresent❦ URSS LA FRANCE AU ORDRE D’UN CADAVRE par M. Druon le zombi URSS omniprésent

Miniatures on Lacquer 1980❦ Miniatures Sur Laque 1980

Rabelais Le sixiesme livre des haultz faitz et dictz de Pantagruel 1933

HISTOIRE DE PRIVAS ET DE SA REGION 1981

GIONO Les Grands Chemins. 1951❦ GIONO LES GRANDS CHEMINS. 1951

COURTELINE Les Linottes. Illustrated by Ch. Roussel. 1923❦ COURTELINE Les Linottes. Illustré par Ch. Roussel. 1923

Bories de Vaucluse (Region of Bonnieux) 1965❦ BORIES DE VAUCLUSE (REGION DE BONNIEUX) 1965

Johan RICTUS, Drawings by STEINLEIN, published by P. Seghers, 1919, Les Soliloques du Pauvre❦ Johan RICTUS, Dessins de STEINLEIN, p. Seghers, 1919 Les Soliloques du Pauvre

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