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

Livres anciens, de collection

Fashion The Monitor of Ladies and Young Ladies. Years 1858❦ Mode Le Moniteur des Dames et des Demoiselles. Années 1858

Michaud’s Crusades: Vol. 3 (1817)❦ MICHAUD HISTOIRE DES CROISADES 1817 Gendarmerie

Benjamin Constant: Master of Literature (1930)❦ BENJAMIN CONSTANT Rieder 1930

Surrealism: Masked Faces, Deformed Bodies❦ Surréalisme visages masqués, corps dévisagés COCO FRONSAC Galerie Vallois

Nature’s Spectacle: Astrology & Cosmic Connections❦ Astrologie Le spectacle de la Nature ou entretiens sur les particularités 1768

Lives of Eastern Desert Fathers, 1825❦ orient PRINCIPALES VIES DES PERES DES DESERTS D’ORIENT 1825

19th-c. French liturgical book on marriage rites❦ mariage LIVRE DU MARIAGE CONTENANT LES CEREMONIES ET LA MESSE DU MARIAGE Curmer

Posthumous Works of Rousseau❦ ROUSSEAU Oeuvres Posthumes 1783

Classic 19th-Century French Household Cookbook❦ CUISINE Mlle Madeleine La Parfaite cuisinière bourgeoise

Monsieur Lakonik’s Marriage by Jean Bruller❦ Bruller Jean Le Mariage de Monsieur Lakonik

Rare Champagne Maurice novel in fine binding❦ Champagne Maurice Huit millions sous les flots

18th-century guide to vegetable gardening❦ Jardin L’ECOLE DU JARDIN POTAGER 1752

Victorian girls' magazine 1882❦ Girl’s Own Annual Periodical 1882

18 Colorful Prints by Roubille from Le Rire❦ 18 estampes en couleurs de Roubille

French Goldsmithing 16th–18th Centuries: Camondo Collection❦ Orfévrerie française des XVIe XVIIe XVIIIe siècles. Catalogue Camondo

📦 We ship antiquarian books worldwide

The shop

Information

Newsletter

Follow us