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

Casino 1987: Small Pocket Guide to Casinos❦ casino 1987 petit guide de poche des casinos

Africa: France in Africa 1846❦ afrique la France en Afrique 1846

Russia: From Paris to Moscow, Souvenirs of the Coronation of H.M. Alexander III❦ russie De Paris à Moscou, souvenirs du couronnement de S. M. Alexandre III

Hussard Dupont Nos Vieux Houzards

Bülow (General Field Marshal) My Report on the Battle of the Marne❦ Bülow (Général Feldmaréchal) Mon rapport sur la bataille de la Marne

Pyrenees in the Time of Bear Showmen❦ pyrénées au temps des montreurs d’ours

chasse Manual for the Pointer Hunter 1857❦ chasse Manuel du chasseur au chien d’arrêt 1857

Bordeaux Agenda des cafés Masset 1937

Piano CORTOT French Piano Music 1944❦ piano CORTOT La musique française de piano 1944

Tragic Fate of Tsar Nicholas II and the Russian Imperial Family❦ tsar TRAGIQUE DESTIN DE NICOLAS II ET DE LA FAMILLE IMPERIALE RUSSE

Trafficking of Piastres with photocopied documents❦ trafic de Piastres avec des documents photocopiés

MIRBEAU Le Journal d'une femme de chambre 1916❦ MIRBEAU Le journal d’une femme de chambre 1916

Vallery-Radot Journal d'un volontaire d'un an. J. Hetzel❦ Vallery-Radot Journal d’un volontaire d’un an. J.Hetzel

DOMERGUE The Economic Revolution & the Exchange of 1892❦ DOMERGUE La Révolution économique & l’échange de 1892

Forbidden Fruit❦ curiosa Le Fruit Défendu

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