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

Marine drawing on cardboard❦ marine dessin au crayon 12,5 x 19,5 cm.

Stories for Young Readers❦ Kipling, Rudyard HISTOIRES COMME CA Fabulet, Louis & Humières 1941

Transformation of Divine Concepts❦ MALRAUX La métamorphose des Dieux. T 3 : L’INTEMPOREL

Agricultural innovation in Limousin from Middle Ages to present❦ innovation agricole en pays limousin du moyen âge à nos jours

Surrealistic Novel of the 19th Century❦ Surréalisme Princesse Sapho le tutu ; le roman le plus mystérieux du XIX siècle

Moral tales for children❦ enfantina ***LE MONDE DES ENFANTS. CONTES MORAUX 1860

History of French Society during the Directory❦ GONCOURT EDMOND & JULES HISTOIRE DE LA SOCIETE FRANCAISE PENDANT LE DIRECTOIRE

Guide to Armorial Bindings❦ Reliures armoiriées Manuel de l’Amateur de Reliures

Chagall's Works on Display in Switzerland❦ Chagall entre ciel et terre Fondation Gianadda

Tragedy of Seneca's Death❦ TRISTAN La mort de Sénèque Tragédie Edition critique publiée par Jacques Madelei

Bauhaus principles in architecture❦ Bauhaus – Moholy-Nagy, László. Von Material zu Architektur

English Gardens in Northern Counties❦ JARDINS D’ANGLETERRE DANS LES COMTES DU NORD 1911

Lyrical poetry collection with romantic ballads❦ Hugo (Victor), Odes et ballades 1843

Cromwell: Protectorate and Stuart Restoration❦ Cromwell Histoire du protectorat de Richard CROMWELL et du rétablissement 1856

Advanced Military Preparation in Artillery❦ Artillerie préparation militaire supérieure

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