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

Insights from the German Campaigns❦ Mini Campagnes d’Allemagne Gal Moreau. Simples notes d’un Conscrit

Rare 18th-century leisure essay❦ Mini essai de mes loisirs ou porte-feuille d’un homme de bien 1780

Automobile and aviation catalog from 1913❦ Catalogue MESTRE & BLATGE automobiles aviation n°12 1913

Commemorative work on Auguste Comte❦ Comte SUR LA TOMBE DE HENRY CROMPTON anniversaire de la mort d’Auguste Comte

Works of Boileau❦ BOILEAU Oeuvres de Boileau Despréaux 1799

A decade's journey in letters❦ MAXENCE Jean Pierre Histoire de dix ans. 1927 SP + dédicace

Geographical insights from the King❦ Géographe ordinaire du Roi Géographie sacrée et historique 1747

Library Catalog of Louis Jean Gaignat's Collection❦ Gaignat Catalogue des Livres du Cabinet de feu M. Louis Jean Gaignat 1769

Lourdes circa 1890 - Architectural photographs with dedications❦ LOURDES vers 1890 dédicaces de Jules COMTE directeur des batiments

Complete Fables and Poems, Lemerre Edition❦ LA FONTAINE Lemerre FABLES ré-imposé

Dialogues on Metaphysics, Religion, and Mortality❦ Malebranche Entretiens sur la metaphysique, sur la religion, et sur la mort …

French Colonial Domain: History, Industry, Agriculture, Arts❦ Colonies 1930 Domaine colonial français

Barye's Watercolors: Critical Study & Catalogue❦ Barye Les Aquarelles de Barye. Etude critique et catalogue raisonné

A multi-volume epic with dedication❦ CLAVEL BERNARD LES COLONNES DU CIEL + dédicace

Apparent Contradictions in Holy Scripture❦ Mini Antologia seu Contradictiones apparentes Sacrae Scripturae 60×115 mm. 1678

📦 We ship antiquarian books worldwide

The shop

Information

Newsletter

Follow us