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

Bretagne Thomas La Bretagne à la Belle Époque❦ Bretagne THOMAS La Bretagne à la Belle Epoque

Fournel Les Hommes du 14 Juillet //1890❦ Fournel les hommes du 14 juillet //1890

Shepherds and Flocks in Languedoc and Catalonia❦ BERGERS ET TROUPEAUX EN LANGUEDOC ET CATALOGNE

The Little Acrobat and His Mother 1899❦ Le petit acrobate et sa mère 1899

Mariana Alcoforado, The Letters of a Portuguese Nun❦ ALCOFORADO MARIANNA LES LETTRES DE LA RELIGIEUSE PORTUGAISE

Costumes civils et militaires 208 lithographs Lecomte/Martinet❦ Costumes civils et militaires 208 lithographies Lecomte/Martinet

Latin Dictionnaire Poucet Latin-French French-Latin 36 x 54 mm. miniature❦ latin dictionnaire poucet LATIN-FRANCAIS FRANCAIS-LATIN 36 x 54 mm. miniature

EGLISE APOSTOLIQUE ARMENIENNE paris

Grancher Le charcutier de Machonville 1946

Ovid, The Art of Love❦ Ovide L’ART D’AIMER

2 miniature notebooks, 1901, 35 x 50 mm. parfumer & papetier❦ minuscules 2 agendas 1901 35 x 50 mm. parfumeur & papetier

Patrick Raynaud Album – Photographs, signed❦ PATRICK RAYNAUD ALBUM – PHOTOS, dédicacé

Courier Complete Works Courrier, new edition 1837❦ Courier Oeuvres complètes Courrier, nouvelles édition 1837

LEMAITRE The Sins of Sainte-Beuve❦ LEMAITRE Les péchés de Sainte-Beuve

Tiny pocket diary WAR 1916 - 1920 35 x 50 mm❦ minuscule agenda GUERRE 1916 – 1920 35 x 50 mm.

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