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

Napoleon's Marshals: Historical Portraits❦ Napoléon CHARDIGNY (Louis) Les maréchaux de Napoléon

Court and City Almanac 1831❦ Almanach de la Cour, de la Ville et des Départements 1831

Musical instruments in the 18th century❦ Les instruments de musique au XVIIIe siècle, France – Grande-Bretagne

Sculptor of the King Pajou❦ Pajou, sculpteur du Roi 1730-1809

Medieval chivalry adventure novel❦ Doyle, Arthur Conan SIR NIGEL 1906

The Coveted Ones - Author's Inscription❦ Anglade Les convoités + dédicace

Bob at the Exhibition❦ Gyp BOB à l’Exposition

Figaro's Marriage and its implications❦ BEAUMARCHAIS LE MARIAGE DE FIGARO

Study of Truffle Production Conditions❦ truffe Chatin La Truffe : étude des conditions générales de la production

Proust's Early Writings and Literary Debut❦ Proust 1892-1893 TEXTES INEDITS LE BANQUET

Selected fables by La Fontaine❦ LA FONTAINE (Jean de). La Fontaine, fables choisies ill-Boutet de Monvel

Selected Tales: Fantasy and History❦ Daudet (Alphonse), Contes choisis (La fantaisie & l’histoire 1877

A young girl managing a household❦ Enfantina Jessie la petite maîtresse de maison 1922

The Living and the Dead❦ COMTESSE DE NOAILLES Les vivants et les morts

Manual technical detector portable devices 1943❦ Détecteur manuel technique appareils détecteurs portatifs 1943

📦 We ship antiquarian books worldwide

The shop

Information

Newsletter

Follow us