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

Belle du Seigneur by Albert Cohen❦ COHEN Albert BELLE DU SEIGNEUR GALLIMARD 1990

Nathalie Sarraute’s seminal essays on the novel❦ SARRAUTE (Nathalie). L’ère du soupçon. Essais sur le roman S.P. + dédicace

European Porcelain Collector's Manual 1914❦ porcelaine Manuel de l’amateur de porcelaines 1914

Mental Hygiene Journal of Applied Psychiatry 1936❦ hygiène mentale journal de psychiatrie appliquée XXXIe anné 1936 –

Mental Hygiene Journal of Applied Psychiatry 1935❦ hygiène mentale journal de psychiatrie appliquée XXXe anné 1935 –

Nancy 1822 Church Missal for Diocese❦ NANCY livre d’église à l’usage du diocèse de Nancy 1822

Paris through military history❦ Paris Militaire à travers l’Histoire

When animals spoke Breton❦ Rabier Benjamin Au temps où les bêtes parlaient breton

Loubon: Life and Work (1973)❦ LOUBON. Sa vie, son oeuvre 1973

French POWs in WWII: A Historical Account❦ captivité Histoire des prisonniers de guerre français 1939 1945

Mesmer’s Treatise on Animal Magnetism❦ Magnétisme animal Mesmer

Beaumarchais' Figaro in 1826❦ Répertoire populaire du Théâtre-Français mariage de Figaro 1826 MINI

Chekhov’s melancholic masterpiece in rare edition❦ TCHEKHOV, A. Une morne histoire. / Hollande

Tasso’s Jerusalem and Aminta (1823) in fine binding❦ Tasso La Gerusalemme e l’Aminta di Torquato Tasso 1823

Pindar’s odes in 18th-century French translation❦ PINDARE Nouvelle traduction des quelques odes de Pindare 1776

📦 We ship antiquarian books worldwide