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

Books, Comics, Magazines

Selected Works of Rimbaud❦ arthur RIMBAUD Arthur Oeuvres de Jean-Arthur Rimbaud -1898

Paris Revolutions in Miniature: Triumph of Liberty❦ Mini révolution Époques les plus intéressantes Révolutions de Paris ou le Triomp

Interrogation 1917 with author's dedication❦ DRIEU LA ROCHELLE Pierre Interrogation 1917 + dédicace

Elementary Astronomy Treatise (Popular Library, 1833)❦ Astronomie Traité élémentaire d’astronomie (Bibliothèque populaire)1833

Hoffmann’s Fantastic Tales, 1840❦ Hoffmann Contes fantastiques 1840

Himalayan Primitive Art Unveiled❦ À masque découvert. Regards sur l’art primitif de l’Himalaya

Thierry’s Decade of Historical Studies❦ THIERRY DIX ANS D’ETUDES HISTORIQUES 1836

Caumont's Archaeology Primer on Civil & Military Architecture❦ Abécédaire ou rudiment d’Archéologie. Architectures civiles et militaires.

Champollion’s Antiquities & Numismatics Collection❦ Champollion Archéologie ou traité des antiquités, numismatique… 1833

Adventure at Sea: A Fifteen-Year-Old Captain❦ VERNE Un capitaine de quinze ans HETZEL

Rare 1683 Holy Week Office in Miniature❦ office de la semaine Sainte 1683 60 x 115 mm.

18th-century amorous tales collection❦ Mini Académie galante contenant diverses petites Histoires très curieuses 1708

Napoleon’s Italian Campaign 1796-1797❦ Napoléon Bonaparte : 1 ère campagne d’Italie 1796-1797

Toulouse’s medieval annals with noble feudal records❦ TOULOUSE Annales de la ville de Toulouse depuis la réunion de la Comté 1687

Barye’s Watercolors: Critical Study & Catalogue❦ Barye Les Aquarelles de Barye. Etude critique et catalogue raisonné

📦 We ship antiquarian books worldwide

The shop

Information

Newsletter

Follow us