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

Collections

Jacob Böhme On the Signature of All Things❦ Jacob Boehme De la signature des choses

Raymond POINCARE beautiful map❦ Raymond POINCARE belle carte

Pierre Lyautey beautiful handwritten autograph letter❦ Pierre Lyautey belle lettre autographe manuscrite

Pierre Gaxotte autograph manuscript letter, signed❦ Pierre Gaxotte lettre manuscrite autographe & signée

Hanotaux handwritten autograph letter❦ Hanotaux lettre autographe manuscrite

Émile Ullmann ARCHITECT signed autograph manuscript letter❦ Émile Ullmann ARCHITECTE belle lettre manuscrite autographe & signée

Jacques Duhamel signed letter❦ Jacques Duhamel Lettre signée

Yves-Gérard Le Dantec autograph letter, signed❦ Yves-Gérard Le Dantec belle lettre autographe manuscrite & signée

Duc and Duchesse de FEZENSAC carte de visite❦ Duc et duchesse de FEZENSAC carte de viste

Robert DEBRE handwritten autograph letter & signed❦ Robert DEBRE lettre autographe manuscrite & signée

Louis Joxe autograph manuscript letter signed❦ LOUIS JOXE carte autographe manuscrite signée

General Weygand autograph letter signed❦ Général Weygand lettre autographe manuscrite & signée

XANROF fine handwritten manuscript autograph❦ XANROF belle lettre manuscrite autographe

Hossonville beautiful autograph letters and manuscripts❦ Hossonville belles cartes autographes manuscrites

Marquis de Magallon d'Argens autograph card❦ Marquis de Magallon d’Argens carte autographe

📦 We ship antiquarian books worldwide

The shop

Information

Newsletter

Follow us