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

STENDHAL’s intimate letters to his sister Pauline❦ STENDHAL : Lettres à Pauline. 1921

Toulouse-Lautrec: Life in Bold Strokes❦ Toulouse Lautrec Hyperion, 1946

Breton Art in the Arthaud Collection❦ Bretagne L’ART BRETON par Waquet

Complete Works of Régnier with 19th-century commentary❦ REGNIER. Oeuvres complètes de Régnier 1860

In Praise of Mature Women❦ femme ELOGE DES FEMMES MURES

Fontainebleau in 1931: A Pictorial Journey❦ FONTAINEBLEAU ARTHAUD. 1931

1828 Agricultural Almanac for Gardeners❦ JARDIN bon jardinier. Almanach agricole pour l’année 1828

Picasso: The End of the Line❦ Picasso, voyage au bout du tracé Galerie Boulakia

Hugo’s Parisian Sketches from 1888❦ HUGO Victor Choses Vues 1888

Lucifer Ilje’s surreal elephant saliva tale❦ CURIOSA LUCIFER ILJE La salive de l’éléphant. Eric Losfeld

Boulanger: The Daring General❦ Boulanger brave général BOULANGER

Annotated French Railway Code 1905❦ SNCF CODE ANNOTÉ DES CHEMINS DE FER EN EXPLOITANTS 1905

Graduated Selection of 50 Writing Styles❦ écriture CHOIX GRADUE DE 50 SORTES D’ECRITURES

Virtue’s Gifts: 1787 Charity and Courage Chronicle❦ Etrennes de la vertu, pour l’année 1787

Samivel’s Alpine Tales❦ SAMIVEL CONTES A PIC

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