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

Julien Benda’s philosophical critique of democracy❦ BENDA JULIEN LA GRANDE EPREUVE DES DEMOCRATIES

The Wreck Keeper's Family Under the Third Republic❦ FRANCIS Robert Le gardien d’épaves H. d’une famille sous la 3ème rep.

Daumier: A Retrospective of His Genius❦ Honoré Daumier, 1808 -1879

MUSSET’s Romantic Tales: Mimi Pinson & More❦ MUSSET Mimi Pinson. Le secret de Javotte. Margot. Histoire d’un merle blanc

Classic 1940s vegetarian cookbook with illustrated recipes❦ Cuisine végétarienne et régimes alimentaires. Menus de …1947

Shakespeare’s actor friend recalled❦ CHAMBRUN Longworth Mon grand ami Shakespeare, souvenirs de John Lacy + dédicace

Galibert's quest for Cézanne❦ Galibert je chercherai Cézanne 2007

Roman Antiquities: Roman Customs and Institutions❦ Antiquités romaines, ou Tableau des moeurs, usages et institution 1826

Maurice Fombeure’s love poems in original edition❦ FOMBEURE Maurice Une forêt de charme, poèmes d’amour S.P. + dédicace

Religious life in Saint-Germain-en-Laye through the ages❦ Saint-Germain en Laye la vie religieuse à Saint Germain en Laye

League of Nations: A Decade of International Cooperation❦ SDN societé des Nations Dix Ans De Cooperation Internationale

Jean-Baptiste Deshays: A Forgotten Master of the 18th Century❦ Jean-Baptiste Deshays : 1729-1765

1935 African Aerial Odyssey: Serge Hyb’s Flight Log❦ Afrique HYB Baliseurs du Monde – à tire d’ailes 1935 (récit voyages en avion )

Two Chronicles of Rouen (1544–1569)❦ Rouen deux chroniques de Rouen 1900

Maurice Maeterlinck’s philosophical reflections❦ MAETERLINCK Maurice LE SABLIER 1936

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