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

Political memoirs and anecdotes from official archives❦ Souvenirs anecdotiques et politiques tires du portefeuille d’un fonctionnaire

Andrieu Plaster Medal 40mm❦ Médaille en plâtre Andrieu 40 mm.

Imperial Family Papers and Correspondence 1871❦ EMPIRE PAPIERS ET CORRESPONDANCE DE LA FAMILLE IMPERIALE 1871

Inuit Masks of Alaska❦ Masques Eskimo d’Alaska.

Literary Almanac and New Year's Gift of Apollo❦ ALMANACH Almanach littéraire, ou Etrennes d’Apollon 1791

Mysterious Timbuktu - 1897❦ TOMBOUCTOU LA MYSTERIEUSE 1897

Historical Geography Atlas: Ancient to Modern❦ Delamarche Atlas de la Geographie Ancienne, du Moyen-Age, et moderne 1842

French Historical Painting 1860-1900: Lyre or Dagger❦ peinture d’histoire en France ( 1860-1900 ) — La lyre ou le poignard

Memoirs and travels of Prince Pückler-Muskau❦ Mémoires et voyages du Prince Puckler Muskau 1833

Poetry Collection - Tears and Melancholy❦ Mini DESBORDES-VALMORE LES PLEURS 1837

Diamonds and Precious Stones❦ Diamant DIAMANTS ET PIERRES PRECIEUSES 1874

Handguns from 1850 to present day❦ Armes VENNER Les armes de poing de 1850 à nos jours 1988

Van Dongen: Fauvism, Anarchism and High Society❦ Van Dongen : Fauve, anarchiste et mondain

Art Philosophy and Aesthetic Principles❦ TAINE Philosophie de l’ Art 1865

French Engraving: Origins to 1900❦ gravure en France des origines à 1900

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