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

Scenes from Bohemian Life❦ MURGER Henri Scènes de la vie de Bohème. H. Lardanchet. HOLLANDE nté

Memoirs of a Chief of Security❦ Police MEMOIRES DE CANDLER ANCIEN CHEF DU SERVICE DE SURETE

Enchanting Forests by Nesmy❦ Nature Nesmy La féerie des bois Grasset, 1927

The Impact of Subliminal Messages❦ Rock n’Roll – Viol de la Conscience par les Messages Subliminaux

The Crime of Sylvestre Bonnard❦ FRANCE, Anatole LE CRIME DE SYLVESTRE Bonnard

Old Master Drawings from the Madame X Collection❦ DUBREUIL F. LAIR DESSINS ANCIENS COLLECTION DE MADAME X… 1928. Drouot

A Year in Leadership of Youth Worksites❦ UN AN DE COMMANDEMENT DES CHANTIERS DE LA JEUNESSE

Novel with vivid illustrations❦ Maurice Dekobra Rue des bouches peintes 1934

Tombs of French Monarchs❦ Gisants Vingt-cinq Rois et Reines de France 1949

The Phantom - Limited Edition❦ BOURGET, Paul LE FANTÔME Librairie Plon / hollande

Original Novel Set in Cévennes❦ Fabre, Ferdinand Taillevent 1895

Debauchery and intrigue in the court❦ HOUSSAYE, Arsène. Les courtisanes du Monde. I, La Messaline blonde 1870

Family Reading: Moral, Educational & Literary Anthology❦ La lecture en famille Morale Education Histoire Sciences Littérature Beaux-1885

Poetry collection celebrating Paris and its neighborhoods❦ PARIS Paris-La-Poésie + dédicace

A Renaissance drama of love and political intrigue❦ MAETERLINCK MAURICE MONNA VANNA – PIECE EN TROIS ACTES

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