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

Photographs by Doisneau❦ Robert Doisneau Galerie Claude Bernard 2000

Primitive Architecture Overview❦ Architecture primitive 1980

Drawing utility discourse with Mr. Brême❦ Dialogue avec Monsieur Brême sur l’ utilité du Dessin. CANSON

Swashbuckling adventure in old Spain❦ GAUTIER (Théophile) Le Capitaine Fracasse ill-Noury

Geology with 151 illustrated figures❦ Guède La géologie. 151 figures intercalées dans le texte

Complete Novels (1911-1951)❦ Mauriac François Oeuvres Romanesques (1911-1951)

Alsatian baking: 280 pastry recipes❦ cuisine Bonnes recettes Alsa Patisseries. 280 Recettes de Patisserie

Nostradamus and His Flag❦ Magnus Rex de Nostradamus et son Drapeau 1948

Agricultural and Viticultural Progress 1902❦ Le Progrès Agricole et Viticole 1902 – 1er semestre

Memoirs of a Royal Granddaughter❦ Mémoires de Mlle de Montpensier, petite-fille de Henri IV, 1868

Medieval culinary arts and gastronomic traditions❦ Fabre, Ferdinand Taillevent 1895

Midday Demon - A Novel of Passion❦ BOURGET Le démon de midi

Paris through poetic vision❦ PARIS Paris-La-Poésie + dédicace

Courteline's Philosophy and Alceste's Conversion❦ COURTELINE Georges LA PHILOSOPHIE DE GEORGES COURTELINE – LA CONVERSION D’ALCEST

Fantastic Tales by Hoffmann❦ HOFFMANN Contes fantastiques de Hoffmann – Gavarni 1861

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