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

Honor Book of Hundred French Cities with Engraved Portraits❦ Livre d’honneur des cent villes de France 1839, portraits gravés

Meissonier: Three Centuries of History❦ Meissonier, trois siècles d’histoire

Moral tales for children❦ enfantina ***LE MONDE DES ENFANTS. CONTES MORAUX 1860

History of French Society during the Directory❦ GONCOURT EDMOND & JULES HISTOIRE DE LA SOCIETE FRANCAISE PENDANT LE DIRECTOIRE

Light-hearted pastoral tale❦ MARCEAU Félicien : Bergère légère

Ras Shamra discoveries and Biblical antiquity❦ découvertes de Ras Shamra (Ugarit) et l’Ancien Testament

Biographical sketches of Arago and Vernet❦ Mirecourt François Arago, Horace Vernet 1855

Adventure at sea for young readers❦ LE PILOTE de Feminore Cooper,

Carnal Intoxications - Illustrated Edition❦ Erotique BARON Jacques Ivresses charnelles 1954

French School of Rome: Centennial Exhibition 1875-1975❦ Ecole Française de Rome 1875-1975. Exposition organisée à l’occasion…

Two uncut novels by Flaubert❦ Flaubert Madame Bovary + Salammbô (non coupés)

Unpublished manuscript facsimile chapter❦ Céline Féérie pour une autre fois

Victor-Marie Count Hugo - Critical Study❦ PEGUY (Charles) Victor-Marie Comte Hugo 1934

Arab novel set in North Africa❦ YASMINA – ROMAN ARABE 1926

Daughters of the Cross in Paris during Revolution❦ Filles de la Croix de Paris pendant la Révolution : persécution, dispersion…

📦 We ship antiquarian books worldwide

The shop

Information

Newsletter

Follow us