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

Paris Through the Centuries - Heart and Splendors❦ ROBIDA Paris de siècle en siècle – Le coeur de Paris. Splendeurs..

Five weeks in an aeroplane❦ Cinq semaines en aéroplane 1912

A small Parisian's journey❦ tour de France d’un petit Parisien ill-Férat

Complete works of Saint-Just❦ Saint-Just oeuvres complètes

French Taste Triumphs in the Neoclassical Era❦ Victor Louis (1731-1800) triomphe du goût français à l’époque néo-classique

The Secrets of Monsieur Synthèse❦ BOUSSENARD LES SECRETS DE MONSIEUR SYNTHESE

Political satire and caricatures yearbook 1914❦ CALENDRIER Album-Revue des Opinions. Année 1914

Classic maritime themes by Hugo❦ VICTOR HUGO LES TRAVAILLEURS DE LA MER

Champaigne's Art: Politics and Devotion❦ Philippe de Champaigne entre politique et dévotion

Study of Arabs in Israel (1948-1967)❦ ARABES EN ISRAEL 1948 – 1967 CENTRE DE RECHERCHES PALESTINIENNE

History of Condom from Origins to 1317❦ GERS Mussot-Goulard Histoire de Condom Histoire de Condom

Surrealist Universe of Yves Tanguy❦ Yves Tanguy – L’univers surréaliste

Russia: History, Description, Customs, and Government❦ DUPRAT EDOUARD LA RUSSIE HISTOIRE DESCRIPTION MOEURS COUTUMES GOUVERNEMENT 1893

Russia: Our Allies at Home❦ Russie, nos alliés chez eux

A century of French aviation history and aeronautics❦ Aviation Les riches heures de l’Aéro-Club de France 1898 – 1998

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