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

Bordeaux Agenda des cafés Masset 1937

Piano CORTOT French Piano Music 1944❦ piano CORTOT La musique française de piano 1944

Tragic Fate of Tsar Nicholas II and the Russian Imperial Family❦ tsar TRAGIQUE DESTIN DE NICOLAS II ET DE LA FAMILLE IMPERIALE RUSSE

Trafficking of Piastres with photocopied documents❦ trafic de Piastres avec des documents photocopiés

MIRBEAU Le Journal d'une femme de chambre 1916❦ MIRBEAU Le journal d’une femme de chambre 1916

Vallery-Radot Journal d'un volontaire d'un an. J. Hetzel❦ Vallery-Radot Journal d’un volontaire d’un an. J.Hetzel

DOMERGUE The Economic Revolution & the Exchange of 1892❦ DOMERGUE La Révolution économique & l’échange de 1892

Forbidden Fruit❦ curiosa Le Fruit Défendu

The Train Robbers of Locomotive Valley, illustrated by Georges Roux❦ train LES VOLEURS DE LOCOMOTIVES illustré par Georges Roux

Virgin THE VIRGIN. History of the Mother of God and of her cult❦ vierge LA VIERGE. Histoire de la mère de dieu et de son culte

Curiosa Mabrut Claire: 50 Years of Fashion and Freedom❦ curiosa Mabrut Claire DIM : 50 ans de mode et de liberté

Resistance: The Networks and Actions of the French Resistance 1940–1944❦ résistance Les réseaux action de la France combattante 1940-1944

Resistance Annuaire of the 1st Free French Division❦ résistance annuaire de la 1re D. F. L.

Savoie: L'Album du Petit Ramoneur Savoyard❦ savoie l’album du petit ramoneur Savoyard

Government General of French Indochina 1931❦ indochine Gouvernement général de l’Indochine Indochine française 1931

📦 We ship antiquarian books worldwide

The shop

Information

Newsletter

Follow us