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.

Enter your keyword

Books, Comics, Magazines

Liberal aristocrat’s pre-Revolution analysis❦ Sénac Du gouvernement, des moeurs, et des conditions en France 1795

Tom Selleck signed photo❦ Tom Selleck photo dédicacé

Unpublished memories of Victor Hugo by his brother-in-law❦ VICTOR HUGO A GUERNESEY – SOUVENIRS INEDITS DE SON BEAU-FRERE

ALFRED BERL autographed letter to poet Fernand Gregh❦ Alfred Berl carte autographe signée

Parisian Music-Hall History Illustrated❦ Music-Hall. A History of the folies du

Le coucou by Félicien Champsaur (1906)❦ Champsaur Félicien Le coucou 1905

French Georgics and Gardens poem❦ VIRGILE LILLE Abbé de OEUVRES DE L’ABBE DE LILLE contenant les GEORGIQUES DE VIR

Military School Chapels and Religious Life in the Royal Palace❦ Chapelles de l’École militaire. et la vie religieuse dans l’ancien hotel royale

Open Letter to the President of the Republic❦ Poniatowski Michel Lettre Ouverte au President de La Republique

René Bazin’s 19th-century rural tale❦ Bazin Stéphanette

Soldier’s Pastimes in the 19th Century❦ Armée LEROY LES PASSE-TEMPS DU CAPORAL VERDURE

Monthly review on the Paris Commune (1970)❦ La Commune de Paris Europe, revue mensuelle, Novembre-Décembre 1970

Mantes through two centuries of history❦ Mantes et Mantes la ville de 1789 à nos jours

Sculptor's Studio Study, 1752❦ Etude d’un modèle, atelier du sculpteur 52 x 40 cm., 1752

Portrait of a Pathetic Soul❦ GIRAUDOUX Simon le Pathétique. Portrait gravé sur bois par Robert Bonfils

📦 We ship antiquarian books worldwide