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

Albigensian Treasure: 16th-Century Toulouse Novel❦ trésor des albigeois, roman du XVIe siecle à Toulouse

Rembrandt: Drawings and Engravings Exhibition❦ REMBRANDT COURBOIN François EXPOSITION D’OEUVRES DE REMBRANDT dessins et gravure

Bob at the Exhibition❦ Gyp BOB à l’Exposition

French Monarchy in 1822❦ Monarchie 1822 de la monarchie en France

Final Love - Numbered Holland Paper Edition❦ OHNET Dernier amour…. 1889 sur papier hollande numéroté

Morés and the Stanzas: Symbolist Poetry❦ Moréas et les Stances

Knight of Faublas - Steel-engraved edition❦ LOUVET Histoire du Chevalier de Faublas. Ornée de vignettes gravées sur acier

Illustrated pipe with 157 documents❦ Pipe illustré de 157 documents

Figaro's Marriage and its implications❦ BEAUMARCHAIS LE MARIAGE DE FIGARO

Parisian Police Records & Saint-Lazare Prison❦ CURIOSA LA POLICE PARISIENNE. GIBIER DE SAINT-LAZARE 1888

Serial Novel by Louis Ulbach❦ FERRAGUS [Louis Ulbach] LA CLOCHE 1868

Perennial Plant Gardens❦ Jardin LAUMONNIER-FERARD E. Les jardins de plantes vivaces

Spiritual Quest and Divine Grace❦ DUHAMEL (Georges) La pierre d’Horeb ill-Berthold Mahn

A New Generation - First Edition with Author's Dedication❦ THARAUD Une relève. EO + dédicace

Local and Regional History of Barbotan-les-Thermes❦ BARBOTAN-LES-THERMES, HISTOIRE LOCALE ET REGIONALE GERS 32

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