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

Charming illustrations of infants❦ Hetzel GRAMONT Vignettes par PLETSCH (Oscar) Les Bébés

Elementary Course on Military Art and History❦ Rocquancourt, J. Cours élémentaire d’art et d’histoire militaires

Yearbook of Polytechnique X 1950❦ Polytechnique X promotion 1950

Coinage and Currency Through History❦ monnaie PORTEOUS Les Monnaies 1965

Encounters with Richard Wagner❦ WAGNER (Richard) ARNOUX Rencontres avec Richard Wagner 1927

The Art of Winemaking in Bordeaux❦ VIN Château La Louvière. Le bel art du vin

A whimsical wedding tale❦ Bruller Jean Le Mariage de Monsieur Lakonik

The Frog's Croaking Song❦ grenouille Bré Ké Kés ! Coas ! Coas !

Overview of 20th Century Russia❦ Russie Monzie Petit manuel de la Russie nouvelle 1931

Geography of Indre-et-Loire❦ Indre-et-Loire Adolphe Joanne***Géographie 37

Illustrated Fairy Tales - Tom Thumb's Marvelous Journeys❦ De Laujon Voyages merveilleux du Petit Poucet illustré par Jean Hée 1928

Original edition of a classic novel❦ Giraudoux Aventures de Jérôme Bardini. Roman. Edition originale.

Plaster Medal 76 mm❦ Médaille en plâtre 76 mm

Portrait of Luce and Thierry❦ DEBERLY Luce et Thierry ex. sur Navarre

Historical glimpse of Vierzon❦ Vierzon et son canton autrefois

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