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

Donations Daniel Cordier The gaze of a connoisseur POMPIDOU❦ Donations Daniel Cordier Le regard d’un amateur POMPIDOU

Dada Berlin 1916–1924 Musée d'Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris 1974❦ dada Berlin 1916-1924 musée d’art moderne de la ville de PARIS 1974

Alphonse Allais (Posthumous Works) 1900 EO❦ Alphonse Allais ( Oeuvres Pothumes ) 1900 EO

The True Christian Pedagogue 1665❦ Le vray pedagogue chrestien 1665

Mayoux, Jehan. Oeuvres. Complete in 6 volumes❦ MAYOUX, JEHAN Oeuvres. Complète in 6 vol.

Gavarni, Selected Works of Gavarni Hetzel❦ Gavarni Oeuvres Choisies de Gavarni Hetzel

Émile Mâle autograph letters, signed❦ EMILE MÂLE cartes & lettres autographes manuscrites & signées

The Godfather of Cinderella J. Hetzel❦ PARRAIN DE CENDRILLON J. Hetzel

Blum GOETHE ET ECKERMANN NOUVELLES CONVERSATIONS inscribed by Léon Blum 1897-1900❦ Blum GOETHE ET ECKERMANN NOUVELLES CONVERSATIONS envoi de Léon Blum 1897-1900

TEXIER Richard GRAINVILLE 1995 + artist's drawing❦ TEXIER Richard GRAINVILLE 1995 + dessin de l’artiste

Marcel Achard Nouvelles histoires d'amour + inscribed dedication❦ Achard, Marcel Nouvelles histoires d’amour + dédicace

Italy Landscapes of Italy. The Plein Air Painters❦ Italie PAYSAGES D’ITALIE. Les peintres du plein air

Renaldo HAHN (PROUST) autograph letters & signed manuscript cards❦ Renaldo HAHN (PROUST) lettres & cartes autographes manuscrites & signées

BALZAC, JEAN-LOUIS GASPARD DE. Selected Works of Balzac. 1822❦ BALZAC JEAN-LOUIS OEUVRES CHOISIES DE BALZAC 1822

Jean-Bernard Restout (1732–1796), painter to the king and revolutionary❦ Jean-Bernard Restout (1732-1796), peintre du roi et révolutionnaire

📦 We ship antiquarian books worldwide

The shop

Information

Newsletter

Follow us