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

Officers of the Marine Troops in Canada (1683–1760)❦ Canada FOURNIER Les officiers des troupes de la marine au Canada. 1683-1760

André Malraux: Cahiers de l'Herne 43❦ André Malraux. Cahiers de l’Herne 43

Tavernier’s 1817 Atlas of India and Asia❦ perse, Asie, Inde, Voyage ATLAS 1817 Tavernier

Rimbaud’s Early Poetry in Deluxe Edition❦ Rimbaud Arthur Poésies

OMRY’s Pirate Queen Adventure❦ OMRY La reine des Corsaires

1861 Travel Journal: Global Expeditions & Adventures❦ TOUR DU MONDE NOUVEAU JOURNAL DES VOYAGES ANNEE 1861

Gauguin’s illustrated manuscript facsimile❦ GAUGUIN (Paul) : Racontars de Rapin

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

In Praise of Mature Women❦ femme ELOGE DES FEMMES MURES

Nattier: Court Painter to Louis XV❦ Nattier, peintre de la Cour de Louis XV (1685-1766)

Eisenstein’s Secret Drawings❦ Curiosa Eisenstein, Serguei Mikhailovitch Dessins secrets

Doyle’s Account of the Boer War❦ Doyle, Arthur Conan The Great Boer War 1900

1930s Marine & Drafting Precision Instruments Catalog❦ Instruments de précision de marine et de dessin. CATALOGUE FABRICATIONS H. MORIN

19th-Century Fashion History Illustrated❦ Mode Histoire du costume. Les Modes au XIXe siècle

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

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