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

Precise sewing techniques and methods❦ Couture Précis de couture

On representative democracy❦ Sem. La démocratie représentative 1869

Marine drawing in pencil❦ marine dessin au crayon 12,5 x 19,5 cm.

Three Young Girls❦ BOURGET Trois petites filles 1899

Exploration of Chance Games❦ chance et les jeux de hasard – Loterie, boule, roulettes, baccarat…

History of French Colonies and Expansion❦ colonies Histoire des Colonies françaises et de l’expansion de la France 5/6

Paris and London: French Keepsake❦ PARIS-LONDRES. Keepsake Francais. 1837

Jungle Tales in Two Volumes❦ KIPLING Rudyard LE LIVRE DE LA JUNGLE + LE SECOND LIVRE DE LA JUNGLE

Classical Dictionary of Sacred and Profane Antiquity❦ BOUILLET Dictionnaire classique de l’Antiquité sacrée et profane 1841

Martian Invasion of Earth❦ SF WELLS (Herbert-George) La Guerre des Mondes war of the worlds

Exploration of Passion and Pain❦ Curiosa BALLIVET SACHER-MASOCH : La Vénus aux Fourrures

Drawing utility discourse with Mr. Brême❦ Dialogue avec Monsieur Brême sur l’ utilité du Dessin. CANSON

Complete Novels (1911-1951)❦ Mauriac François Oeuvres Romanesques (1911-1951)

Alsatian baking: 280 pastry recipes❦ cuisine Bonnes recettes Alsa Patisseries. 280 Recettes de Patisserie

Napoleon's Marshals: Historical Portraits❦ Napoléon CHARDIGNY (Louis) Les maréchaux de Napoléon

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