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

Literary portraits and critical essays❦ POULET ROBERT La lanterne magique + dédicace

Gray Tones: A Thousand Photogravure Techniques❦ photo Milles ressources des grisés en photogravures. ETABLISSEMENT GILLOT

Rococo Masters: Watteau to Fragonard❦ WATTEAU A FRAGONARD 1980 Bordeaux

Nicolas Poussin 1594-1665 Grand Palais Exhibition❦ Poussin RMN Nicolas Poussin 1594-1665 Grand Palais

Meditations on the Eucharist❦ Bossuet Méditations sur l’eucharistie 70 x 100 mm.

Epic poem on Henry IV of France❦ Voltaire La Henriade. Poëme 1813

French Colonial Peoples and Animals❦ Hommes et Bêtes des Colonies Françaises

Historical research on the True Cross❦ Croix Vraie Croix perdue et retrouvée. Recherches historiques

Japonisme: Japanese Art & Western Culture❦ JAPON Le Japonisme Réunion des Musées GRAND PALAIS

Impressionism and French Landscape❦ Impressionnisme et le paysage français

Poetic Precision and Dedication❦ NOAILLES Comtesse de EXACTITUDES + dédicace

Critical analysis of French military affairs❦ Examen critique du militaire françois 1781

A tale of the legendary knight❦ Bayard HISTOIRE DE BAYARD RACONTEE A MES ENFANTS Sémant Cahu

Anemone in the Land of Stars❦ Anémone au pays des étoiles 1946

Flaubert's Theatre from 1885❦ Flaubert théâtre 1885

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