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

3 miniature notebooks, calendars, etc., 1908, 33 x 46 mm. & 23 x 33 mm.❦ minuscules 3 agendas, calendriers.. 1908 33 x 46 mm. & 23 x 33 mm.

sundials from Gascony (Gers)❦ cadrans solaires en Gascogne gersoise

Paul-Guillaume LEMOYNE, M.-Th. ALLEMAND, G. ALLEMAND and M. BUNDORF Jean Walter Collection❦ Paul-Guillaume LEMOYNE M.-Th., ALLEMAND G. et BUNDORF M. Collection Jean Walter

BEAUVAIS 1/100000 Hachette 1886

Concorde Exceptional Sale Catalogue of Supersonic Collection Items❦ concorde Catalogue vente exceptionnelle de pièces de collection du supersonique

Compagnie Générale Transatlantique❦ French Line Cie Gle Transatlantique

Fable, Petit Fabuliste de la Jeunesse, 30 x 45 mm❦ fable petit fabuliste de la jeunesse 30 x 45 mm.

Montluçon 1787 surveyor Cerilly Dreuil grosbois, Soulongis Epinasse Montfin❦ Montluçon 1787 arpenteur Cerilly Dreuil grosbois, Soulongis Epinasse Montfin

tiny, small Roman parish, 52 × 82 mm❦ minuscule, petit paroissien romain, 52 x 82 mm.,

Memoirs of the Chevalier de Gramont❦ HAMILTON Mémoires du Chevalier de Gramont

Gauguin, Paul Daniel Wildenstein CATALOGUE OF THE PAINTED WORKS❦ Gauguin, Paul Daniel Wildenstein CATALOGUE DE L’OEUVRE PEINT

Marine Recueil des règlements...brevets de mécaniciens 1913❦ Marine Recueil des règlements…brevets de mécaniciens 1913

The Life of the Ant❦ fourmi LA VIE DES FOURMIS maeterlinck

Indochina Practical Notions of Annamite Language 1890❦ indochine Notions Pratiques de Langue Annamite 1890

Latin Dictionnaire Poucet Latin-French 36 x 54 mm. miniature❦ latin dictionnaire poucet LATIN-FRANCAIS 36 x 54 mm. miniature

📦 We ship antiquarian books worldwide

The shop

Information

Newsletter

Follow us