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

KIPLING - Courage Tales, Fine Paper Edition❦ KIPLING DU CRAN ! sur vergé

Asia's Conquest of Asia❦ Asie A L’ASSAUT DE L’ASIE

The Good Gardener's Almanac 1831❦ Jardin Le bon jardinier 1831

A Spanish Passion: Passionate Love Story❦ MERIMEE CARMEN 1914

Historical Geography Atlas: Ancient to Modern❦ Delamarche Atlas de la Geographie Ancienne, du Moyen-Age, et moderne 1842

Playful Tales and Humorous Stories❦ SILVESTRE ARMAND HISTOIRES FOLATRES

Diamonds and Precious Stones❦ Diamant DIAMANTS ET PIERRES PRECIEUSES 1874

Philosophical reflections on faith and reason❦ Pascal, Blaise – Léon Brunschvicg (Hg.) Pensées 1930

Van Dongen: Fauvism, Anarchism and High Society❦ Van Dongen : Fauve, anarchiste et mondain

Art Philosophy and Aesthetic Principles❦ TAINE Philosophie de l’ Art 1865

The Mustard Seed - Spiritual Teaching❦ OMRAAM MIKHAËL AÏVANHOV . LE GRAIN DE SENEVE

Garden of Letters: Essays and Literary Meditations❦ BAINVILLE (Jacques) Le jardin des lettres

Rural customs and traditions of Marche region❦ Creuse ESSAI SUR LES VIEILLES COUTUMES RUSTIQUES DU PAYS MARCHOIS

Complete guide to traditional charcuterie❦ charcuterie CAUDERLIER Le Livre de la grosse et fine charcuterie

Unpublished intimate diaries of Marie Bashkirtseff❦ BASHKIRTSEFF (Marie). Cahiers intimes inédits de Marie Bashkirtseff

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