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

Latin-French Dictionary of Geographical Proper Names❦ Dictionnaire Latin-Francais des Noms Propres de Lieux 1897

Society Ball and Social Intrigue❦ NEMIROVSKY (Irène). Le Bal / Alfax

Art edition of a classic work❦ TOUSSAINT LA FLÛTE DE JADE L’EDITION D’ART H. PIAZZA

Ecclesiastical History for Seminaries❦ Cours d’Histoire ecclésiastique à l’usage des Séminaires, par un Directeur 1851

Unusual Tales and Poems❦ VAN HIRTUM Marianne Les Insolites. Prose & poèmes Gallimard

Far East expedition memoirs with color illustrations❦ Asie HUGUET En colonne, souvenirs d’Extrême-Orient

Bougainville's Pacific Voyages❦ voyages de Bougainville. PACIFIQUE

Nobility of the Empire: Genealogy and History❦ Noblesse d’Empire 2008

French Plutarch - Classical Lives & Virtues❦ Plutarque LE PLUTARQUE FRANCAIS

Oriental Army Road Service and Allied Topographic Maps❦ Armée d’Orient service routier. Service topographique des armées alliées

Cocteau's Pigalle Theatre Highlights❦ Cocteau Théâtre Pigalle, ses éclairages, sa machinerie 1929 Rothschild

Lost and Rediscovered Workshop Secrets❦ Secrets d’atelier perdus et retrouvés CONSTRUIRE

Fishing guide from Spain❦ Guide des Pécheurs, Composée en Espagnol 1757

French Bookbinding History Vol. 2❦ RELIURE DEVILLE La reliure française

Dramatic events of the Paris Commune❦ Commune drames de la commune 18 mars – 27 mai 1871

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