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

Treatise on Delation by Romain Motier, Citizen of Geneva❦ traité de la Délation par Romain Motier citoyen de Genève

TREATISE ON THE SYSTEMATIC AND RATIONAL METHOD OF OIL PAINTING CONTAINING THE PRINCIPLES❦ TRAITE METHODIQUE ET RAISONNE DE LA PEINTURE A L’HUILE CONTENANT LES PRINCIPES

MARTINIQUE Le Gaoulé – The Martinique Revolt of 1717 –❦ MARTINIQUE Le Gaoulé – La révolte de la Martinique en 1717 –

Arms Evolving System Encyclopedia❦ armes Encyclopédie évolutive armes à système

Vie mondaine at the seaside resorts: La Rochelle and Royan at the Belle Époque❦ VIE MONDAINE AUX BAINS DE MER – LA ROCHELLE ET ROYAN A LA BELLE EPOQUE

Pierre Loti In the Intimacy of Pierre Loti (1903-1923)❦ Pierre Loti Dans l’intimité de Pierre Loti (1903-1923)

Pères de l'Église Bibliotheca Manualis Ecclesiae Patrum 1783❦ pères de l’Eglise Bibliotheca Manualis Ecclesiae Patrum 1783

Arts in the Middle Ages and during the Renaissance LACROIX 1869❦ arts au Moyen Age et à l’Epoque de la Renaissance LACROIX 1869

Jules Verne, Mathias Sandorf, illustrated by Benett, Hetzel❦ Verne Jules Mathias Sandorf ill-Benett HETZEL

Lacroix 18th Century, Institutions, Customs and Costume in France 1700–1789❦ lacroix XVIIIme Siècle, Institutions, Usages et Costume France 1700-1789

Mœurs, Usages and Costumes in the Middle Ages and at the Renaissance, 1877❦ moeurs, usages et costumes au Moyen Age et à l’époque de la renaissance 1877

Lacroix XVIIIth Century, Institutions, Customs and Costume in France 1700-1789❦ lacroix XVIIIme Siècle, Institutions, Usages et Costume France 1700-1789

Verne DEUX ANS DE VACANCES Hetzel

Apollinaire L'Antitradition futuriste ex-libris by Apollinaire❦ Apollinaire L’Antitradition futuriste ex-libris d’Apollinaire

Guyenne, Béarn, Navarre, 1753, southern government of Guyenne, Landes❦ Guyenne Bearn Navarre 1753 méridionale du gouvernement de Guienne, Landes..

📦 We ship antiquarian books worldwide

The shop

Information

Newsletter

Follow us