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

Lost in the Botanical Garden❦ Perdu au jardin des plantes

Translation and annotations of KAMA-SUTRA❦ Curiosa Vatsyayana KAMA-SUTRA

Illustrated edition of a classic novel❦ Curiosa BALLIVET SACHER-MASOCH : La Vénus aux Fourrures

Five Hundred Million Bequeathed: A Technological Utopia❦ Verne Les Cinq cents millions de la Bégum Acanthes HETZEL

Essays - Critical annotated edition❦ Montaigne Essais GARNIER

Roman Hours with Engraved Illustrations❦ Heures Romaines, avec figures par A. Queyroy tranches ciselées reliure Lesort

A Republican's Memoir❦ Artois Émile Lenglet 1811-1878 Un républicain arrageois dans son siècle mémoire

Cultivation of Poplar Trees❦ Peuplier La culture du peuplier

César's Account of the Gallic Wars❦ César CESAR LA GUERRE DES GAULE, AVEC LES COMMENTAIRE

Japan Observed: Clive Holland's Travel Notes❦ Japon Holland Clive Au Japon choses vues

Travel observations in China❦ Chine CHITTY : EN CHINE, CHOSES VUES

The Tattooed Miracle #3❦ tatouage LE MIRACLE TATOUE N°3

Archaeological Society of Gers, 1901 Bulletin❦ Gers Bulletin de la Société Archéologique du Gers

The Trials of Sophie by Ségur❦ Ségur Castelli, Horace Les Malheurs de Sophie

Biography of Général Weygand❦ WEYGAND TURENNE Général

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