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

Berryer’s Parliamentary Speeches in Four Volumes❦ Berryer, M. Oeuvres de Berryer – Plaidoyers DISCOURS PARLEMENTAIRES

Surrealist Art Poetics❦ Breton, André Art poétique

Jules VERNE’s Underwater Odyssey in Hachette Edition❦ Verne Voyages Extraordinaires, Vingt Mille Lieues sous les Mers Hachette

Aix tapestries from old archbishop's palace❦ tapisseries du musée de l’ancien archevêché à Aix-en-Provence

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

Ancient Syrian Homes: Domestic Space from 3rd Millennium BCE to Islam❦ Maisons dans la Syrie Antique du IIIe millénaire aux débuts de l’Islam

RAMUNTCHO: A Five-Act Play by LOTI❦ LOTI PIERRE RAMUNTCHO

Fouché’s Authentic Memoirs as Interior Minister❦ FOUCHE MEMOIRES COMPLETS ET AUTHENTIQUES DE JOSEPH FOUCHE, DUC D’OTRANTE

Spanish Ceremony of the Phoenix and Chess Game❦ COCTEAU Jean. Cérémonial espagnol du Phénix Suivi de La Partie d’échecs

Paul Souday’s signed autograph letter❦ Paul Souday lettre autographe signée

Robida’s satirical sketches of early 20th-century society❦ Robida En haut du beffroi Suivi de l’Académie de danse de laroslaw

Schiller's Thirty Years' War History❦ SCHILLER HISTOIRE DE LA GUERRE DE TRENTE ANS 1841

History of Toys: A Collector’s Illustrated Guide❦ Jouet histoire des Jouets

Historical Bible Engravings in Fine Binding❦ Gallery of Scripture Engravings Historical and Landscape

Grammont’s Memoirs in Portable Miniature❦ Hamilton, Mémoires du comte de Grammont 1802 MINI

📦 We ship antiquarian books worldwide