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

Antique and collectible books

MIRABEAU Essay on Despotism 1776❦ MIRABEAU Essai sur le despotisme 1776

Russia LEVESQUE Atlas of the History of Russia, and of the principal nations of ...❦ Russie LEVESQUE Atlas de l’Histoire de Russie, et des principales nations de …

Napoléon Raisson A Popular History of Napoleon and the Grande Armée 1830❦ Napoléon RAISSON Histoire populaire de Napoléon et de la Grande armée 1830

Louvre Grand Hôtel and Department Stores Paris❦ LOUVRE Grand Hôtel et Grands Magasins PARIS

Marie d'Anjou queen of Majorca 1682❦ Marie d’Anjou reine de Mayorque 1682

CHATEAUBRIAND Oeuvres complètes Ladvocat 1826 EO

Mondor Rimbaud or the Impatient Genius + inscription❦ rimbaud MONDOR RIMBAUD OU LE GENIE IMPATIENT + envoi

Arabia: Voyage in the Arabian Peninsula, the Sinai, and Egypt, 1859❦ arabie VOYAGE DANS LA PENINSULE ARABIQUE, DU SINAI, ET DE L’EGYPTE 1859

Causeries d'un curieux. Variétés d'histoire et d'art tiré d'un cabinet. 1862❦ Causeries d’un curieux. Variétés d’histoire et d’art tiré d’un cabinet..1862

Excavations of Telloh Pre‑Sargonic Periods / Mission française de Chaldée❦ Fouilles de Telloh Epoques présargoniques/ Mission française de Chaldée

Geographic Atlas compiled under the direction of the Royal Council 1826❦ Atlas géographique dressé sous la direction du conseil royal 1826

Paris MONTORGUEIL Sketches of Parisian Life: Sunday Pleasures 1896❦ Paris MONTORGUEIL Croquis parisiens. Les plaisirs du Dimanche 1896

Librarian Brunet Handbook for the Bookseller and Book Collector 1842❦ Libraire Brunet Manuel du libraire et de l’amateur de livres 1842

MUSSOLINI Le Prince de Machiavel. Preface by Benito Mussolini, 1929❦ MUSSOLINI Le Prince de Machiavel. Préface de Benito Mussolini 1929

Polybe WAR Folard discoveries on war dissertation on Polybe 1753❦ polybe GUERRE Folard découvertes sur la guerre dissertation sur Polybe 1753

📦 We ship antiquarian books worldwide

The shop

Information

Newsletter

Follow us