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

Guy de Maupassant L'héritage❦ MAUPASSANT (Guy de) L’héritage

Yearbook of the cour impériale de Paris and the tribunaux of its ressort 1862❦ Annuaire de la cour impériale de Paris et des tribunaux de son ressort 1862

The Little Warriors. Historical Tales Dedicated to Youth.❦ Les petits guerriers. Contes historiques dédiés à la jeunesse.

Droz LES ÉTANGS J. Hetzel❦ DROZ LES ETANGS J. Hetzel

tattoo LE MIRACLE TATOUE N°3❦ tatouage LE MIRACLE TATOUE N°3

Edmond JALOUX LE RESTE EST SILENCE printed on laid paper❦ Edmond JALOUX LE RESTE EST SILENCE nté sur vergé

Revolution: Les Étrennes nationales, curieuses et instructives 1792❦ révolution Les Étrennes nationales, curieuses et instructives 1792

Erotica CLELAND Memoirs of Fanny Hill, A Woman of Pleasure❦ érotique CLELAND Mémoires de Fanny Hill, femme de plaisir

DORGELES LES CROIX DE BOIS. ALBIN MICHEL

Merlin M. Recueil Alphabétique des Questions de Droit 1827❦ MERLIN M. Recueil Alphabétique des Questions de Droit 1827

Mendès, C. Médée Drama 1903❦ Mendès, C. Médée Drame 1903

Impressions de Voyages. Promenades Pittoresques❦ Impressions de Voyages. Promenades Pittoresque

Museum national du Louvre. Catalogue of the Paintings on Display in the Galleries 1878❦ Musée national du Louvre. Notice des tableaux exposés dans les galeries 1878

Baudelaire, Charles Le Spleen de Paris – Poems in prose❦ Baudelaire Charles “Le Spleen de Paris” – Poëmes en prose

Rabindranath Tagore La Fugitive❦ Tagore (Rabindranath) La fugitive E.O

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