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

Tales by Edgar Poe❦ POE Edgar Histoires 1947 illustrations de Bourcier traduction de Baudelaire

MARC Fernand Les clefs de l'orage Librairie les lettres, 1947 + inscription autographe❦ MARC Fernand Les clefs de l’orage Librairie les lettres, 1947 + dédicace

Amusing Almanac from 1926❦ curiosa Almanach du Journal Amusant – 1926

Moroccan Forage Plants Study❦ maroc plantes fourrageres au Maroc 1934

History of Chantilly Castle❦ Chantilly de Broglie Raoul Chantilly – Histoire du château et de ses collections

A whimsical wedding tale❦ Bruller Jean Le Mariage de Monsieur Lakonik

Overview of 20th Century Russia❦ Russie Monzie Petit manuel de la Russie nouvelle 1931

Illustrated Fairy Tales - Tom Thumb's Marvelous Journeys❦ De Laujon Voyages merveilleux du Petit Poucet illustré par Jean Hée 1928

Historical glimpse of Vierzon❦ Vierzon et son canton autrefois

Plaster Medal 51mm❦ Médaille en plâtre 51 mm

Self-installing bell and indicator systems❦ sonnerie Pour poser soi-même les sonneries et tableaux indicateurs

Mouloudji's 1955 Work❦ Mouloudji enrico + dédicace

A captivating narrative set in the steppes❦ Kessel J. La Steppe rouge

Literary Garden: Essays and Portraits❦ BAINVILLE (Jacques) Le jardin des lettres

Romantic life and art of Daumier❦ Daumier La Vie et l’art romantiques – Daumier – Peintre et lithographe

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