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

Study of a Model, Sculptor’s Studio, 52 x 40 cm., 1752❦ Etude d’un modèle, atelier du sculpteur 52 x 40 cm., 1752

Breton Misère de la poésie: The "L'Affaire Aragon" before public opinion 1932❦ BRETON Misère de la poésie “L’Affaire Aragon” devant l’opinion publique 1932

SIGNORET Complete Poems (Vers dorés, Daphné, La souffrance des eaux...)❦ SIGNORET Poésies complètes (Vers dorés, Daphné, La souffrance des eaux…

Collège Henri IV or lycée Napoléon...1864. Meryon Etching❦ Collège Henri IV ou lycée Napoléon…1864 . Meryon Eau-Forte

Raphaël Esmerian Library❦ Bibliothèque Raphaël Esmerian

Cardinal de Retz, Mémoires du Cardinal de Retz, 1817❦ RETZ Cardinal Mémoires du Cardinal DE RETZ 1817

André Breton. Ode to Charles Fourier. 1947❦ BRETON (André). Ode à Charles Fourier. 1947

FOSSET Adolphe ‎Encyclopédie domestique, arts et métiers, économie rurale 1830❦ FOSSET Adolphe ‎Encyclopédie domestique,arts et métiers, économie rurale 1830

VAN DEN BROEK D'OBRENAN Valéry Paul Le voyage de "la Korrigane"❦ VAN DEN BROEK D’OBRENAN VALERY Paul Le voyage de “la Korrigane”

Bibliothèque R. and B. L. Giquello Sotheby's❦ Bibliothèque R. et B. L. Giquello Sotheby’s

Meditations on the Principal Christian and Ecclesiastical Truths 1675❦ MEDITATIONS SUR LES PRINCIPALES VERITEZ CHRESTIENNES ET ECCLESIASTIQUES 1675

Maupeou Sorhouet Maupeouana, or Secret Correspondence 1783❦ Maupeou Sorhouet Maupeouana, ou Correspondance secrette 1783

Surrealism Medium Surrealist Communication. New Series❦ Surréalisme Medium Communication Surréaliste. Nouvelle Série

Bird Monograph of the Pheasants Beebe

Albert Robida Paris from century to century - The heart of Paris. Splendours...❦ robida (Albert) Paris de siècle en siècle – Le coeur de Paris. Splendeurs..

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