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

Comprehensive inventory of Parisian art❦ INVENTAIRE GENERAL… d’art appartenant à la ville de Paris, édifices civils

Patriotic Enlightenment❦ Maurras Les Lumières de la patrie ex sur vélin nté

The Excellent Baron de Pic-Ardant❦ L’Excellent Baron de Pic-Ardant illustré de Zier

The Noellet Family - Illustrated Edition❦ BAZIN . Les Noellet, illustrations de G. Dutriac demi-maroquin

Indigenous peoples and pre-Columbian cultures❦ indien sans plume ill.breson + envoi nté CHADOURNE MARC Anahuac ou l’indien

Paris and London: French Keepsake❦ PARIS-LONDRES. Keepsake Francais. 1837

Rhône Delta regional map and geography❦ Bouches du rhone hachette 1903 carte Adolphe Joanne***Geographie 13

Plaster Seal Medal 40mm❦ Médaille en plâtre SCEAU 40 mm.

Martian Invasion of Earth❦ SF WELLS (Herbert-George) La Guerre des Mondes war of the worlds

Honorary Legion Pantheon❦ Panthéon de la légion d’honneur

Aelian's Miscellaneous Histories - Complete Edition❦ Cl. Aeliani sophistae variae historiae. Libri XIV 1774

Scipio Africanus: Tapestries and Designs❦ Tapisserie SCIPION L’AFRICAIN L’Histoire de Scipion. Tapisseries et dessins.

Automotive Design Network❦ Automobile ADN: Automotive Design Network

Reflections on French Values❦ MAURRAS CHARLES SUR LA CENDRE DE NOS FOYERS sur vélin nté

Ancient tapestries from 16th to 18th centuries❦ Belles tapisseries anciennes 1919 des XVIe, XVIIe & XVIIIe siècles

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