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.

An empty cart

An empty cart

Enter your keyword

Postcards

The Belle-Vue Bridge in Fives❦ Fives pont Belle-Vue

A Novel Set in a French Hotel and Café❦ Audun le roman hotel et café français

Heritage finance with postcards❦ finance héritage Affaire Humbert 10 cartes-postales

Café Restaurant Insights❦ Agen , le coteau d’agen 7 CPA Café Restaurant de l’Ermitage E. CHARAIRE

Turkey in Street of Little Fields, Constantinople❦ turquie rue des petits-champs Constantinople

Hand-painted Asia postcard❦ Asie carte postale peinte à la main

Dawn poem illustrated postcard❦ Aube poème carte-postale dessinée à la plume

Montmartre Impresario: Raffles Tour & Gentlemen's Society❦ Montmartre Ch. Baret Impresario, Tournée Raffles Rue des Martyrs Gentilhomme..

Brunoy 95 - Senart Forest❦ BRUNOY 95 forêt de Sénart

Elegant Hairstyles and Fashion❦ élégantes en bistre 4 CPA illustré par Bottaro COIFFURE MODE

Rococo Illustrations❦ Rococo 4 cartes Meissner & Buch illust- grandes dames

Le Havre - Set of 8 Postcards❦ LE HAVRE X 8 cartes postales

Setúbal, Portugal - Regional Study❦ Setubal Portugal

Deauville: Missing Corner of Yachts❦ DEAUVILLE le bassin des yachts CHOCOLAT AMERICAIN

Japan Woman circa 1907❦ Japon femme vers 1907

📦 We ship antiquarian books worldwide

The shop

Information

Newsletter

Follow us