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

Philosophical novel exploring identity and power❦ YOURCENAR MARGUERITE L’OEUVRE AU NOIR GALLIMARD EO

The Art of Strolling in 17th Century Paris❦ promenade à paris au XVII e siècle l’art de se promener les lieux de promenade

A catalog of illuminated manuscripts❦ Manuscrits Avec Miniatures Du IX Au XV Siecle 1909

Letters from Marie Durand❦ DURAND LETTRES DE MARIE DURAND 1711-1776. Prisonnière de la tour de

Balzac's Ferragus with original etchings❦ BALZAC ferragus Pointes-sèches de R.Berg Vélin teinté vert pâle

Artistic perspective on Mendjisky❦ MENDJISKY MAUROIS André – PAGNOL Marcel

Guide to Etiquette❦ Savoir vivre TRAITE DE COURTOISIE

Visions of Provence by Gaston Tabart-Robert❦ Provence Visions de Provence + envoi TABART-ROBERT

History of Clichy-la-Garenne❦ Clichy HISTOIRE DE CLICHY LA GARENNE

A whimsical tale of three butterflies❦ Trois papillons roses, Conte de B. Roy illustré par mercier

Overview of Spanish Legal Literature❦ Historia de la literatura jurídica española 1906

PIGAULT-LEBRUN: The Quote Master❦ PIGAULT-LEBRUN Le Citateur 1830

Aline, Queen of Golconda - Illustrated Edition❦ BOUFFLERS (Chevalier de) Aline, reine de Golconde. Lithographies de Jean-Edelman

Witnesses of Four Centuries❦ Saint-Just, François de François de Saint-Just. Témoins de quatre siècles

National Assembly Insights❦ DAUDET/Sennep LA CHAMBRE NATIONALE DU 16 NOVEMBRE. Portraits et tendances

📦 We ship antiquarian books worldwide

The shop

Information

Newsletter

Follow us