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

Stencil on thick paper, 40.5 x 30.5 cm, artist's name illegible❦ Pochoir sur papier fort, 40,5 x 30,5 cm, nom de l’artiste illisible

Paul Gauguin’s Complete Facsimile Collection❦ GAUGUIN, Paul Le sourire de Paul Gauguin

Hypnotism at a distance: thought transmission and mental suggestion❦ hypnotisme à distance la transmission de la pensée et la suggestion mentale

Jean Barbier’s Bread Call: Rare Original Edition❦ PAIN BARBIER Jean L’appel du pain Bloud & Gay 1940 EO

Désaugiers’ 1833 Chansons et Poésies diverses❦ mini Désaugiers Chansons et Poésies diverses 1833

Marcel Aymé’s 1950 Short Stories❦ AYME MARCEL EN ARRIERE – NOUVELLES 1950

Paul de Musset’s biography of his brother Alfred❦ MUSSET Biographie de Alfred de Musset 1877 sur vergé

Spain under Ferdinand and Isabella: Governance and Society❦ ESPAGNE SOUS FERDINAND ET ISABELLE, LE GOUVERNEMENT, LES INSTITUTIONS…

In the Land of the White Fox❦ Swenson Olaf Au pays du renard blanc / illustrations de G de sainte-croix

Iron Age III burial practices in Luristan❦ Les pratiques funéraires à l’âge du Fer III au Pusht-i Kuh, Luristan: les nécrop

French aviation magazine 1942–1946❦ Aviation L’Air. Revue bi-mensuelle. Organe de l’aviation française 1942-1946

Marcel Aymé's Four Truths❦ AYME (Marcel) Les Quatre vérités 1954

NOURISSIER’s Pléiade century❦ Pléiade NOURISSIER François Un siècle NRF

Fabre: The Homer of Insects❦ FABRE L’HOMERE DES INSECTES

Rare 16th-century odes and epithalamia by Macrin❦ Epithalames (1528/1531) – Les Odes de 1530

📦 We ship antiquarian books worldwide