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

Winter 1968 gastronomic guide with recipes❦ Cuisine LE CRAPUILLOT HIVER 1968 – LA BONNE VIE SUIVI DU GUIDE GASTRONOMIQUE

Persian Letters by Montesquieu❦ MINI MONTESQUIEU Les lettres persanes 1826

War Memoirs - Limited Edition #4/50❦ George Lloyd Mémoires de guerre -1/50- 1934

Dialogues of Ancient and Modern Dead❦ FENELON DIALOGUES DES MORTS ANCIENS ET MODERNES 1721

French Moralist Classics: Three Philosophical Works❦ LA BRUYERE. LA ROCHEFOUCAULD. VAUVENARGUES 1826

General Fricassier - Comic sketches❦ Nadar Sta 1882 Le Général Fricassier

The Dreyfus Affair: Historical Account❦ affaire Dreyfus Reinach HISTOIRE DE L’AFFAIRE DREYFUS + dédicaces

Five colored prints by Roubille❦ 5 estampes en couleurs de Roubille

Autograph Letter Signed by Maurice DRUON❦ Maurice DRUON lettre autographes signée

Plaster Medal 57 mm❦ Médaille en plâtre 57 mm.

The Creation of Animals❦ EFFEL (Jean). La Création des animaux 1955

Byzantine-Medieval French Relations❦ BYZANCE ET LA FRANCE MEDIEVALE BIBLIOTHEQUE NATIONALE DE FRANCE

Communicating Vessels: Surrealist Meditation❦ Breton (André). Les Vases communicants

Maritime adventure and exotic voyages❦ CHADOURNE Marc : Vasco 1927 bois de Deslignières

Eight Legal Codes in Miniature Format, 1833❦ COD huit codes en miniature. Avec indications de leurs articles correlatifs 1833

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