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

Curiosa HASKINS Sam COWBOY KATE & Other Stories❦ Curiosa HASKINS Sam COWBOY KATE & AUTRES HISTOIRES

Paris in the Year 3000❦ Paris en l’An 3000

History of Queen Marguerite de Valois, First Wife of King Henri IV❦ Histoire de La Reine Marguerite de Valois, Premiere Femme du Roi Henri IV

Benoit (Pierre) Axelle, l'Atlantide, Alberte, le roi lépreux❦ Benoit (Pierre) Axelle, l’Atlantide, Alberte, le roi lépreux

Love Through the Ages, drawings by BAC, ROBIDA, SAHIB, L. Vallet❦ L’amour dans tous les temps, dessins de BAC, ROBIDA, SAHIB, L.Vallet

Manual of the Gentleman or Ceremonial of Good Society, 1830❦ Manuel de l’Homme de bon ton ou Cérémonial de la Bonne Société..1830

Meditations on the Principal Christian and Ecclesiastical Truths 1675❦ MEDITATIONS SUR LES PRINCIPALES VERITEZ CHRESTIENNES ET ECCLESIASTIQUES 1675

Quatrelles La Dame de Gai-Fredon ill. Courboin❦ QUATRELLES LA DAME DE GAI-FREDON ill-Courboin

Jacob Van Loo 1614–1670 Arthena, 2001❦ Jacob Van Loo 1614-1670 Arthena , 2001

Christie's Paul Destribats. Library of the Avant-Gardes❦ Christie’s Paul Destribats. Bibliothèque des avant-gardes

MOLOCH les AUTOMEDONS

Armée Commandant Louis-Auguste Picard The Army in France and Abroad 1897❦ Armée Commandant Louis-Auguste Picard L’Armée en France et à l’étranger 1897

Peru Nautical Instructions on the Coast of Peru 1872❦ Pérou instructions nautiques sur la cote du Pérou 1872

Géographie militaire Course of military art School of applied engineering 1880❦ Géographie militaire Cours d’art militaire École d’application du génie 1880

Talleyrand. 1754–1838 + letter❦ Talleyrand. 1754-1838 + lettre

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