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

Seizure and Capture❦ La Saisie par Leloir

A tale of two brothers❦ LES DEUX HENRI illustré par Vogel

Voltaire's legal crusades and defense cases❦ VOLTAIRE AVOCAT – CALAS, SIRVEN ET AUTRES AFFAIRES

Precise sewing techniques and methods❦ Couture Précis de couture

Nicolas Poussin monograph, 1960❦ Nicolas Poussin 1960

La Villette: Urban Project History 1971-1995❦ La Villette. 1971 – 1995 : Histoires de projets

Perceau's Feared Spoonerisms Collection❦ Perceau redoute des contrepèteries 1963

History of Brittany and Celtic lands❦ Histoire de la Bretagne et des pays celtiques

A Guide to Shells❦ coquillages ANGELETTI Les coquillages

A study on painter Michel Renoir❦ Renoir DRUCKER Michel Renoir, préface de Germain Bazin

Plaster Medal 56 mm❦ Médaille en plâtre 56 mm.

Three Young Girls❦ BOURGET Trois petites filles 1899

Furniture of Lower Auvergne❦ AUVERGNE Mobilier de Basse Auvergne. Massin CH, 1996

History of French Colonies and Expansion❦ colonies Histoire des Colonies françaises et de l’expansion de la France 5/6

Bible defending against disbelief❦ SAINTE BIBLE VENGÉE DES ATTAQUES DE L’INCRÉDULITÉ…1835

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