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

Court and City Almanac 1831❦ Almanach de la Cour, de la Ville et des Départements 1831

Literary appreciation of Gresset❦ Gresset précédées d’une appréciation littéraire par La Harpe 1866

Authentic portrayal of d'Artagnan❦ Mousquetaire Le véritable d’Artagnan

Sculptor of the King Pajou❦ Pajou, sculpteur du Roi 1730-1809

Overview of Spanish Legal Literature❦ Historia de la literatura jurídica española 1906

The story of a student's journey❦ MARCOMIR HISTOIRE D’UN ETUDIANT 1862

Plaster Medal❦ Médaille en plâtre 26 x 17 mm

A Night in the Mountains & The Count's Ball❦ RADIGUET Le bal du Comte d’Orgel VEBER UNE NUIT DANS LA MONTAGNE

Lucia Avila - Hetzel Edition❦ LUCIA AVILA Hetzel

Paris from Above: A Cartographic Atlas❦ Paris Le Dessus des Cartes. Un Atlas parisien

Guadeloupe 1802: Jacques Delgrès and Colonial Resistance❦ Guadeloupe Adélaïde-Merlande, Jacques Delgrès ou la Guadeloupe en 1802

Breton Hearth: Popular Traditions and Customs❦ Bretagne SOUVESTRE LE FOYER BRETON, TRADITIONS POPULAIRES EO

Response to D'Annunzio❦ REPONSE A GABRIELE D’ANNUNZIO

The Joys of Theatre❦ PLAISIRS En scène ou les Plaisirs du Théâtre, Bavardages ou les Plaisirs de la..

Mercuriales with author's dedication❦ Albert Buisson Mercuriales + dédicace

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