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

Normandy's Maritime Expeditions❦ Normandie HISTOIRE DES EXPEDITIONS MARITIMES DES NORMANDS ET DE LEUR..1843

Lost City Exploration❦ POURRAT Henri LA CITE PERDUE 1955

Brittany during the Belle Époque❦ Bretagne THOMAS La Bretagne à la Belle Epoque

National Basilica of Sacré-Cœur❦ Montmartre : la basilique du voeu national au Sacré-Coeur

The Evolution of Ballet Art❦ L’art du Ballet des origines a nos jours

Exploring Social Changes in Caen❦ Caen. Parcours dans l’agglomération

Original illustrated edition of La Douleur❦ DAUDET La Doulou (La Douleur), 1887-1895. Le Trésor d’Arlatan

Shakespeare in 1953: A Masterful Study❦ MAURICE (Martin) Master William Shakespeare NRF, 1953 belle reliure

New Stories from the Hills❦ KIPLING RUDYARD NOUVEAUX CONTES DES COLLINES

Scenes of Cosmopolitan Life❦ HERMANT LE CARAVANSERAIL – SCENES DE LA VIE COSMOPOLITE

Ancient lyrical poetry collection❦ érotique LOUYS PIERRE LES CHANSONS DE BILITIS

Dictionary of Received Ideas with Catalogue of Chic Ideas❦ FLAUBERT GUSTAVE DICTIONNAIRE DES IDEES RECUES suivi du CATALOGUE DES IDEES CHIC

Folklore Studies Journal 1976❦ Subiet Société d’études folkloriques du Centre-Ouest subiet AGUIAINE 1976

Historical novel in fine condition❦ BENOIT Pierre TOUCHAGUES koenigsmark

Exploration of ideal cities❦ Paris des utopies. 1970

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