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

A biography of Napoleon's personal life❦ napoléon Aubry Octave Vie privée de Napoléon

Romain Rolland Against France + Author's Inscription❦ Romain Rolland contre la France + dédicace

Fables illustrated by Grandville❦ Fables. Illustrées par J.-J. Grandville FLORIAN LA FONTAINE

Precision Watchmaking Catalogue❦ Horlogerie de précision SARDA Besançon catalogue

Rare illustrated tale of Raton, the joyful girl❦ curiosa HISTOIRE DE LA BIENHEUREUSE RATON FILLE DE JOIE chas-laborde rel.Leonard

Uncle Benjamin - Illustrated Edition❦ Hémard Mon oncle Benjamin

Memoirs and correspondence of an 18th-century salon hostess❦ EPINAY MARQUISE Mémoires et Correspondance de Madame d’Epinay 1818

Memoirs and Correspondence of Madame d'Epinay❦ EPINAY Mémoires et Correspondance

Parisian Melancholy - Illustrated Edition❦ BAUDELAIRE Le spleen de Paris iIl. LONGUET

PATIN (Henri). Studies on the Greek tragedians Aeschylus❦ PATIN (Henri). Etudes sur les tragiques grecs Eschyle

Medieval parchment illumination❦ Enluminure 70 x 59 mm.

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

Faust - German classic in French translation❦ GOETHE – Traduit par Gérard de NERVAL. FAUST

Algerian Customs and Traditions❦ Algérie GENERAL DAUMAS Moeurs et Coutumes de l’Algérie. Telle, Kabylie, Sahara

Mr Tringle - Illustrated Children's Tale❦ CHAMPFLEURY. Mr Tringle par Champfleury illustré par Léonce Petit 1868

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