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

Literary Library Auction Catalogs❦ Bibliothèque Littéraire Robert Moureau et Micheline de Bellefroid

Memoirs of a Veteran Army Officer❦ MEMOIRES du sieur de Pontis 1749

Art museums at home❦ ART LES MUSEES CHEZ SOI, 4/4

Genealogy of Royal Houses❦ généalogique des maisons souveraines du monde

Napoleon's 1809 Austrian Campaign❦ Napoléon et l’Autriche. La campagne de 1809

Analysis of Greek Tragedians❦ Etudes sur les tragiques grecs

Character studies by La Bruyère❦ LA BRUYERE Les caractères, suivis des Caractères de Théophraste maroquin mini

Civil Wars of Western France 1792-1815❦ Vendée Histoire de la Guerre de Vendée et des Chouans 1820

Finger Painting: Rainer and Soutter❦ Arnulf Rainer – Die Finger malen +

Hunting Journal with Woodcut Illustrations, 1879❦ Chasse illustrée – Journal des chasseurs et de la vie à la campagne 1879

The Artist, Thinker, and Scholar of Leonardo❦ Vinci Léonard de Vinci : L’Artiste, le Penseur, le Savant Coffret 2006

Royal painter turned revolutionary artist❦ Jean-Bernard Restout (1732-1796), peintre du roi et révolutionnaire

Guide to Ethical Living❦ Zodiaque de la vie 1731

Animal Life in 19th-Century Satire❦ GRANDVILLE Scènes de la vie publique et privée des animaux 1852

1878 Illustrated Hunting Journal❦ Chasse illustrée – Journal des chasseurs et de la vie à la campagne 1878

📦 We ship antiquarian books worldwide

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