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

Journey to Angkor❦ LOTI Un pélerin d’Angkor EO

Fishing guide translated into French❦ La guide des pecheurs, composee en espagnol par R.P. Louis de Grenade 1683

Visual chronicle of French achievements❦ Fastes de la nation française ou Tableaux pittoresques 104 planches

A thousand years of Chinese painting❦ Chine 1000 ans de peinture chinoise Cheng L’Espace du rêve 1991

Rimbaud's Impatient Genius❦ MONDOR RIMBAUD OU LE GENIE IMPATIENT SP + dédicace

Public education in Rouen before 1789❦ Recherches sur l’Instruction publique dans le diocèse de Rouen avant 1789

Translation of Thompson's Poem❦ THOMPSON Saisons poëme traduit de l’Anglois de Thompson 1759 EISEN

Society and Politics in 18th Century France❦ Paris Versailles et les provinces au XVIIIe siècle

Tokens from Parisian Governance❦ MONNAIE PARIS Jetons de l’échevinage parisien

Poems from Officine Pascalon❦ Refrains de l’Officine Pascalon 1908

Montesquieu's Influence on Political Laws❦ MONTESQUIEU De l’esprit des loix 1805

Criminal Judgment of Fraud Case❦ Jugement du tribunal criminel (Ardèche) accusé de faux AN II

Legal Judgment in Revolutionary France❦ jugement du tribunal criminel (Haute-marne) discrédité les assignats AN II

Complete Works of the Enlightenment Philosopher❦ HELVETIUS : Oeuvres d’HELVETIUS 1792

Illustrated Hunting Journal❦ Chasse illustrée – Journal des plaisirs de la ferme et du château 1867

📦 We ship antiquarian books worldwide

The shop

Information

Newsletter

Follow us