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

Coming-of-age novel with vivid illustrations❦ DICKENS Charles David Copperfield

Aisne Department Geography & Map❦ Aisne carte Adolphe Joanne*** Géographie du département 02

Life of an Artist❦ MEAULLE Le Maître ( La Vie D’un Artiste )

The Mysterious Cave - Illustrated Edition❦ GROTTE MYSTERIEUSE illust-Robida

Jean de La Hève - Adventure and Labor❦ la HEVE Job Macaër CARTONNAGE

Path to the Scaffold: French Revolution Historical Documents❦ BATZ VERS L’ECHAFAUD – Germinal-Floréal-Prairial, An II. Documents Historiques

Surrealism: Comprehensive Visual Study❦ Surréalisme Phaidon 2006

Letters and Discourses of Gerbert - 10th Century Correspondence❦ Gerbert BARSE Lettres et discours de Gerbert 1847

The Tale of Spahi Ravin❦ Spahi Duhard L’histoire du spahi Ravin

New Caledonia: Black and White Photography 1984-1988❦ calédonie Un regard en noir et blanc Des barrages à la poignée de main 1984-1988

Scott's Tale of Adventure❦ SCOTT QUENTIN DURWARD 1923, ill-Robida

Diary of France: March 1939–July 1940❦ Fabre-Luce, Alfred Journal de la France. Mars 1939 – Juillet 1940

Gulliver’s Travels illustrated by Robida❦ SWIFT illust- ROBIDA Albert Voyages de Gulliver. Illustrations de A. Robida.

Married Life: Daumier's Satirical Lithographs❦ Curiosa DAUMIER (Honoré) Moeurs Conjugales

Royan, Saintes and Neighboring Beaches❦ Royan Saintes et Les Plages Voisines 1927

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