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

Selected fables by La Fontaine❦ LA FONTAINE (Jean de). La Fontaine, fables choisies ill-Boutet de Monvel

16th Century Erotic Poems❦ Erotisme LES JARDINS DE PRIAPE. Poésies érotiques du seizième siècle

Montesquieu: Critical Works and Essays❦ MONTESQUIEU, Par DESTUTT DE TRACY, VILLEMAIN OEUVRES DE MONTESQUIEU 1827

Louvre Gallery Guide 1878❦ Louvre Notice Des Tableaux Exposés Dans Les Galeries Du Musée National 1878

McCormick Baler Press - Maintenance Manuals❦ Mc Cormick PRESSE RAMASSEUSE livrets d’entretien

Frimousset's Home Adventures❦ PINCHON J.-P. FRIMOUSSET DANS SA MAISON

Gallic Pottery - Charvet Collection Study❦ POTERIE GAULOISE – ETUDE SUR LA COLLECTION CHARVET 1872

French Communists during the Phoney War❦ communistes français pendant la drôle de guerre

Soldier's Ink Drawing, Trench Art, May 1916❦ CAGNAT Dessin à l’encre Poilu 18 mai 1916 art dans les tranchées LES CAGNATS

The Life of Ants - Tomorrow's Book❦ MAETERLINCK MAURICE. LA VIE DES FOURMIS- LE LIVRE DE DEMAIN

London Portrait 1933❦ MORAND Londres 1933

Northern Peoples' Revolutions❦ Révolutions des peuples du Nord. 1841

New Caledonian Rock Carvings❦ Calédonie PETROGLYPHES NEO-CALEDONIENS

Political verse satire and moral condemnation❦ HUGO – Les chatiments – 1890 – Petite bibliothèque Charpentier

Precious Stones - 1979 Edition❦ Pierres précieuses 1979

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