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

Dairy, Butter, Cheese Industry❦ Laiterie, Beurrerie, Fromagerie

Short stories with author's inscription❦ Avril à ma porte 1997 + dédicace

Paris Through the Centuries - Heart and Splendor❦ ROBIDA Paris de siècle en siècle – Le coeur de Paris. Splendeurs..

Illustrated fairy tales by renowned artist Jiri Trnka❦ ANDERSEN CONTES ILLUSTRATIONS de Jiri Trnka

WWI Aviation: Pilot Escapes 1914-18❦ Aviation MORTANE LA GUERRE DES AILES – EVASIONS D’AVIATEURS 1914-18

Plaster Medal 36 mm❦ Médaille en plâtre 36 mm

Napoleon and Personal Memoir: History and Recollections❦ SÉGUR (Philippe de) Histoire et Mémoires1873

Gold Fleets: Spain’s Treasure Galleons❦ Or THOMAZI Les Flottes de l’Or. Histoire des Galions d’Espagne

Diary of a Staff Officer: Franco-Prussian War 1870-71❦ Comte d’Hérisson Journal d’un officier d’ordonnance Juillet 1870 – Février 1871

Cicero’s Moral Guide for His Son (1773)❦ MINI CICERO M. Tullius Cicero de Officiis ad Marcum Filium 1773 65 x 90 mm.

Swiss travel guide with Alpine routes, 1865❦ SUISSE JOANNE Itinéraire descriptif et historique de la Suisse 1865

Breton’s Letters to Aube, 1938-1966❦ André Breton Lettres à Aube : 1938-1966

Literary Manifestos of the Belle Époque (1886–1914)❦ Manifestes littéraires de la Belle époque, 1886-1914

Emmanuel Berl’s European History❦ BERL EMMANUEL. HISTOIRE DE L EUROPE

Rational Mechanics: Dynamics of Material Point❦ Mécanique Rationnelle Dynamique du point matériel

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