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

Original edition of a classic❦ REBELL, Hugues. Le Diable est à table

Founders of Religious Orders❦ Fondateurs des ordres religieux ill-Barentin

MONTHERLANT'S Definitive 'Rose of Sand'❦ MONTHERLANT LA ROSE DE SABLE – EDITION DEFINITIVE. GALLIMARD 1968

Kipling’s Mountain Tales in French❦ KIPLING (Rudyard) Simples Contes de la Montagne 1929

Mario Mercier’s Jeanne diary❦ curiosa MERCIER Mario JOURNAL DE JEANNE Eric LOSFELD

Restoration-era duel engraving❦ Duel sous la restauration J. Le Blant

Edgar Poe’s Arctic Mystery Adventure❦ Poe Edgar Aventures d’Arthur Gordon Pym BAUDELAIRE

Nerval’s German Travel Memories❦ Nerval. Souvenirs D’Allemagne. Lorely. Michel Lévy frères 1860

Barbey d'Aurevilly: Women & Moralists❦ BARBEY D’AUREVILLY, Jules FEMMES ET MORALISTES 1906

Russian libertine tales and secrets❦ érotique oeuvre libertine des conteurs russes : contes secrets 1912

Gallic Church Liberties vs. Constraints Memorandum❦ Mémorandum des Libertés et des Servitudes de L’église Gallicane

Kipling’s Fantastic Creatures Illustrated❦ KIPLING, DARAGNÈS, FANTASTIQUE : DIVERSES CRÉATURES

French Social Evolution Through Royal Portraits❦ Mignonnes et Mignons de Princes

Comprehensive Masonic Encyclopedia❦ Franc-maçonnerie Dictionnaire universel de la Franc-Maçonnerie

Chinese Drama by Pierre Loti❦ Loti Pierre LA FILLE DU CIEL – DRAME CHINOIS

📦 We ship antiquarian books worldwide

The shop

Information

Newsletter

Follow us