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.

Enter your keyword

Books, Comics, Magazines|Antique and Collectible Books

Schoolteacher records, Lot-et-Garonne 1850-1851❦ institutrice 1850-1851 Lot & Garonne 47 Nézida Mauroux

An Amorous Tale of Seduction and Desire❦ Curiosa VIVANT-DENON. Point de lendemain. Conte ill-CALBET

Portrait of Baron Hans Heinrich von Thyssen-Bornemisza, 1956❦ Baron Hans Heinrich von Thyssen-Bornemisza 1956 photo argentique 18 x 22,5 cm

General Atlas - 1916 edition❦ Atlas VIDAL-LABLACHE Atlas général 1916

Historic Nantes Carnivals❦ NANTES Vieux carnavals nantais 1930

Words of a Solitary Man - Dedication Copy❦ DE ROBERT LOUIS PAROLES D’UN SOLITAIRE + dédicace

Bohemian Life and My Heart: Early Verses❦ CARCO FRANCIS LA BOHEME ET MON COEUR : PREMIERS VERS…

French-Gascon Dictionary: Concepts to Words❦ Gascon d’Estalenx Dictionnaire français-gascon – des notions aux mots

Versailles palaces and royal residences❦ VERSAILLES – Les Trianons – Saint-Cyr 1929

Unpublished novel by Stendhal❦ STENDHAL LAMIEL. ROMAN INEDIT EO 1889

Renault Agricultural Equipment Spare Parts Catalog R77 R78❦ Renault Motoculture Catalogue pièces rechanges détachées R77 R78

Children's Companion, 1772❦ ami des enfans 1772

Contemporary Faces: Signed Author's Copy❦ PORTO-RICHE visages contemporains + dédicace

Children's New Crusade with Author Letter❦ BORDEAUX LA NOUVELLE CROISADE DES ENFANTS + lettre

Following Salavin's Path❦ VOX MAHN, Berthold Sur les pas de Salavin

📦 We ship antiquarian books worldwide