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

Guide to engraving techniques and history❦ gravure Les techniques de la gravure : guide des techniques et de l’histoire..

Art Edition of Caresses❦ Toussaint Le Jardin des Caresses PIAZZA

Unpublished Poems by a 15th Century Poet❦ Poésies inédites de Clotilde de Surville, poète française

Tragedy in Five Acts by Delavigne❦ Delavigne, Casimir Louis XI, tragédie 70 x 105 mm.

French take on Walter Scott❦ Walter Scott français Janet

Suleiman the Magnificent: 16th Century Ottoman Splendor❦ Soliman Le Magnifique 1990 Grand Palais

Forced Loan Analysis❦ L’Emprunt forcé. 1923

Lake Ontario Illustrated Work❦ COOPER FENIMORE. LE LAC ONTARIO, 1936

Pioneer of Artistic Debate❦ EDOUARD PIGNON “Ma seule manière de vivre est d’interroger le monde”

Insights into French Decadence❦ Rochefort (Henri), Chroniques : Les Français de la décadence 1885

Philosophical novel exploring identity and power❦ YOURCENAR MARGUERITE L’OEUVRE AU NOIR GALLIMARD EO

Fundamentals of Chemistry❦ Chimie élémentaire 1838

Christianity's Influence Explored❦ Chateaubriand Génie du Christianisme ou Beautés de La Religion Chrétienne 1819

History of Clichy-la-Garenne❦ Clichy HISTOIRE DE CLICHY LA GARENNE

Witnesses of Four Centuries❦ Saint-Just, François de François de Saint-Just. Témoins de quatre siècles

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