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

Books, Comics, Magazines|Antique and Collectible Books

NOURISSIER’s Pléiade century❦ Pléiade NOURISSIER François Un siècle NRF

Fabre: The Homer of Insects❦ FABRE L’HOMERE DES INSECTES

Rare 16th-century odes and epithalamia by Macrin❦ Epithalames (1528/1531) – Les Odes de 1530

Pierre Mabille on Thérèse of Lisieux (1937)❦ MABILLE (Pierre). Thérèse de Lisieux 1937

Boufflers’ Selected Works 1827 Miniature Edition❦ BOUFFLERS 1827 oeuvres mini

The Canary: A Children's Tale (1829)❦ SCHMID Le serin, conte pour les enfants 1829

A Woman’s Life in One Year❦ FLEURIOT (Zénaïde) Une année de la vie d’une femme

Uncle Jacques’ Tales by Stahl❦ STAHL Contes de l’oncle Jacques HETZEL

Pioneering French photography journal La Lumière (1860)❦ photographie première revue LA LUMIERE 1860

19th-century travel account of Greece and Egypt❦ Clarke TRAVELS IN VARIOUS COUNTRIES OF EUROPE ASIA AND AFRICA 1817

Toulet’s whimsical verse in 1920❦ TOULET COMME UNE FANTAISIE 1920

1924 Industrial Gas & Coke Production Manual❦ Gaz & Cokes: Manuel de La Fabrication & de L’Utilisation des gaz de distillation

Montaigne’s Essais: Critical Edition with Saulnier’s Preface❦ MONTAIGNE VILLEY Les Essais de Montaigne. Edition conforme…

Picasso’s Demoiselles d’Avignon: Volume 1❦ PICASSO Les demoiselles d’Avignon 3 – Volume 1 – Musée Picasso

Destouches: Selected Works (1827)❦ Destouches oeuvres choisies de Destouches 1827

📦 We ship antiquarian books worldwide

The shop

Information

Newsletter

Follow us