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

LÜTKE Frédéric 1797-1882 Voyage autour du monde fait par ordre de Sa Majesté

HENRI LYAUTEY The Exemplary Life of Lyautey❦ LYAUTEY La vie exemplaire de Lyautey

Brizeux La Fleur d'Or – Histoires poétiques, cycle poétique nouveau❦ Brizeux La Fleur d’Or – Histoires poétiques , cycle, poètique nouvelle

PARAZ (Albert) CELINE (Louis-Ferdinand) Valsez saucisses

Belgium, the little noble queen of Belgium 1918❦ Belgique la petite reine noble de Belgique 1918

Paris, Niépce & Charensol, Le Livre de Paris❦ paris NIEPCE CHARENSOL Le livre de Paris

Hetzel Stahl P.-J. HISTORY OF A DONKEY AND TWO YOUNG GIRLS Hetzel❦ hetzel Stahl P.-J. HISTOIRE D’UN ANE ET DE DEUX JEUNES FILLES hetzel

PAULE-HERFORT Échec au lion 1938❦ PAULE-HERFORT échec au lion 1938

Arnulf Rainer – Die Finger malen❦ Arnulf Rainer – Die Finger malen +

suisse JOANNE, Adolphe and Paul. Collection of the Guides-Joanne 1873❦ suisse JOANNE, Adolphe et Paul Suisse. Collection des Guides-Joanne 1873

Jacob Folckema Le Bairam ou la Pâque des Mahometans 1737❦ JACOB FOLKEMA Le Bairam ou la Pâque des Mahometans 1737

suicides et misères romantiques & Dedicace❦ suicides et misères romantiques & Dédicace

Almanach du Bibliophile. 1898 Pelletan

Joseph Bédier, Le Roman de Tristan et Iseut, 1924, Piazza❦ BÉDIER Joseph LE ROMAN DE TRISTAN ET ISEUT 1924 PIAZZA

MAUPASSANT Bel-ami illustrated by Ghertman❦ MAUPASSANT Bel-ami illustré par Ghertman

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