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

1940 Jewel Pocket Agenda❦ Mini calendrier agenda bijou 1940

Algerian Architecture: 1974 Collector's Edition❦ ARCHITECTURE ALGERIENNE

LÜTKE Frédéric 1797-1882 Voyage autour du monde fait par ordre de Sa Majesté

LA VÉRITABLE CUISINE DE FAMILLE PAR TANTE MARIE 1949❦ cuisine LA VERITABLE CUISINE DE FAMILLE PAR TANTE MARIE 1949

MONTHERLANT Novels in Pléiade Edition❦ MONTHERLANT Henry ( de ) ROMANS Gallimard NRF Bibliothèque de la pléiade

Village Scholar’s Enlightenment in 1839❦ Mini MAITRE PIERRE OU LE SAVANT DE VILLAGE 1839

Iconic 1963 photo of Maria CALLAS❦ Maria CALLAS photo argentique originale 18 x 13 cm.

Russian Art Nouveau Masterpieces❦ ART NOUVEAU RUSSE

Raphael Kirchner’s Art Nouveau Geisha Legends❦ KIRCHNER Raphael Kirchner Jugendstil GEISHA

The Siege by Erckmann-Chatrian❦ ERCKMANN-CHATRIAN Le Blocus HETZEL

1870 War: Alsace, Metz, Sedan Campaigns❦ 1870. Alsace, Metz, Sedan

Military Geography Textbook 1880❦ Géographie militaire Cours d’art militaire École d’application du génie 1880

Camille Jordan’s Alsace and Weimar Journey❦ CAMILLE JORDAN EN ALSACE ET A WEIMAR

Captain Ponpon: A French Colonial Officer’s Memoir❦ Ponpon 2e D. B. capitaine Emmanuel Dupont UN CAÏD

Stereo postcards of Ain Mazi beach, 1911❦ Casablanca jolies baigneuses plage de l’ ANKE, Aïn-Mazi 1911 carte stéréo x 10

📦 We ship antiquarian books worldwide

The shop

Information

Newsletter

Follow us