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

Treatise on Delation by Romain Motier, Citizen of Geneva❦ traité de la Délation par Romain Motier citoyen de Genève

TREATISE ON THE SYSTEMATIC AND RATIONAL METHOD OF OIL PAINTING CONTAINING THE PRINCIPLES❦ TRAITE METHODIQUE ET RAISONNE DE LA PEINTURE A L’HUILE CONTENANT LES PRINCIPES

MARTINIQUE Le Gaoulé – The Martinique Revolt of 1717 –❦ MARTINIQUE Le Gaoulé – La révolte de la Martinique en 1717 –

Arms Evolving System Encyclopedia❦ armes Encyclopédie évolutive armes à système

Vie mondaine at the seaside resorts: La Rochelle and Royan at the Belle Époque❦ VIE MONDAINE AUX BAINS DE MER – LA ROCHELLE ET ROYAN A LA BELLE EPOQUE

TRAITE METHODIQUE DU DESSIN DE L'AQUARELLE ET DU LAVIS APPLIQUES❦ aquarelle TRAITE METHODIQUE DU DESSIN DE L’AQUARELLE ET DU LAVIS APPLIQUES

Pierre Loti In the Intimacy of Pierre Loti (1903-1923)❦ Pierre Loti Dans l’intimité de Pierre Loti (1903-1923)

Batteuses, presses à paille, locomobiles Brouhot & Cie Vierzon❦ batteuses presses à Paille locomobiles Brouhot & Cie VIERZON

Fénelon Letters from Fénelon to a Young Man on Piety and Conduct 1860❦ Fénelon Lettres de Fénelon à un jeune homme sur la piété et la manière 1860

satyre ESTERNOD Espadon satyrique

Léon Bloy. The Soul of Napoleon. Paris: Mercure de France, 1912❦ BLOY (Léon). L’âme de Napoléon. Paris Mercure de France 1912

John Knittel, Thérèse Étienne. Wood engravings by Joris Minne. Translated by Marie Mirande❦ KNITTEL John Thérèse étienne. Bois gravés Joris Minne. Traduit par Marie Mirande

Boris Vian L'Arrache-cœur — Introduced by Raymond Queneau❦ Vian Boris L’arrache-coeur – Présenté par R. Queneau

Pindar THE OLYMPIAN ODES OF PINDAR with Historical Notes. 1754❦ Pindare LES OLYMPIQUES DE PINDARE avec des Remarques Historiques. 1754

Faith Justified of All Reproach of Contradiction with Reason and Incredulity❦ FOI JUSTIFIEE DE TOUTE REPROCHE DE CONTRADICTION AVEC LA RAISON ET L’INCREDULITE

📦 We ship antiquarian books worldwide

The shop

Information

Newsletter

Follow us