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

Our Antiquarian Books Catalog

Tragedy of Seneca's Death❦ TRISTAN La mort de Sénèque Tragédie Edition critique publiée par Jacques Madelei

Guyane Okâ: Folktales from Afar❦ Guyane Okâ. Ecoute. la nouvelle qui vient de loin Conte Original 1995

Rousseau’s 1817 Music Dictionary❦ ROUSSEAU Jean-Jacques.- Dictionnaire de Musique 1817

Job: Heart Wandering to Embryology Secrets❦ Job, de l’errance du coeur au secret de l’embryologie

Imaginary Museum of Italian Masterpieces❦ Veyne Paul Mon musée imaginaire ou les chefs-d’oeuvre de la peinture italienne

Blind Kings: Signed First Edition❦ KESSEL/ ISWOLSKY Les rois aveugles EO signée

Advertising Art in Daily Life 1984❦ Un Art Du Quotidien ; L’objet Publicitaire 1984

19th-century trade encyclopedia in four volumes❦ commerce Dictionnaire du commerce et de l’industrie 1837

Rimbaud’s Verses and Prose in 1949 Edition❦ Rimbaud Arthur Oeuvres de Arthur Rimbaud – Vers et proses 1949 Claudel

Rostand’s biblical drama in elegant binding❦ Rostand La Samaritaine 1901

Bronze medal honoring alumni of France's Overseas Schools❦ Médaille bronze Jan Jollenhaven 70 mm. OUTRE-MER

Bénédictions in Auvergne by Thomas Braun❦ Thomas Braun Le Livre Des Bénédictions + dédicace

Magritte Retrospective 1978-1979❦ MAGRITTE RETROSPECTIVE MAGRITTE 1978

Van Gogh: Paintings & Drawings 1853–1890❦ Van Gogh RIJKSUMUSEUM 1853-1890 peintures dessins

Humanity through five millennia❦ BERTHOUD L’homme depuis cinq mille ans

📦 We ship antiquarian books worldwide

The shop

Information

Newsletter

Follow us