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

BERNANOS The Imposture + dedication❦ BERNANOS L’imposture + dédicace

Adventures and Misfortunes of Jean-Paul Choppart❦ DESNOYERS LOUIS LES MESAVENTURES DE JEAN-PAUL CHOPPART 1873

Epic journey from Moscow to Irkutsk and Mexican drama❦ VERNE Michel Strogoff – Moscou – Irkoutsk. Un Drame au Mexique Hetzel globe

Complete works of Barbey d'Aurevilly❦ Barbey d’Aurevilly, Jules Amédée Les oeuvres complètes Bernouard

Collection of Fantômas novels❦ fantomas 1931 Fayard 33 titres

Exploring Angelic Powers❦ cabale Anges Possibilités, capacités et pouvoirs conférés par les Anges

volof FRENCH-VOLOF DICTIONARY - PRECEDED BY A SUMMARY OF GRAMMAR 1923❦ volof DICTIONNAIRE FRANCAIS-VOLOF – PRECEDE D’UN ABREGE DE LA GRAMMAIRE 1923

PRÉVERT Jacques. Spectacles, 1951

The Death as portrayed by Tcherkessof❦ Maeterlinck Maurice. LA MORT illustré par Tcherkessof

Collection of Boris Vian's Literary Works❦ Boris Vian Romans, nouvelles, œuvres diverses

Illustrated prophetic almanac for 1845❦ prophétie almanach prophétique pittoresque et utile 1845 Nostradamus… gavarni

Practical Guide to Fossil Identification❦ fossile DETERMINATION PRATIQUE DES FOSSILES

Riefenstahl, Leni The People of Kau

Tales by Edgar Poe❦ POE Edgar Histoires 1947 illustrations de Bourcier traduction de Baudelaire

Original edition of illustrated work❦ KOWALSKI Roger Le Ban 1959 ex. nté

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