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

Poetic sonnets for a timeless character❦ Godoy Armand Sonnets pour Don Juan Condition + dédicace

Christian Forget-Me-Not Edition❦ christliche vergißmeinnicht 60 x 85 mm.

Vintage Photograph of a Child❦ Photo ancienne ENFANT 17 x 11 cm JERSEY

The Art of Reading - Educational Guide❦ LEGOUVE Ernest L’art de la lecture

Aesthetic Essay on French Society❦ BENDA (Julien) Belphégor. Essai sur l’esthétique de la présente…+ dédicace

Paths of Writing by Bernard Grasset❦ GRASSET (Bernard) Les Chemins de l’écriture + envoi

Reflections from a solitary voice❦ DE ROBERT LOUIS PAROLES D’UN SOLITAIRE + dédicace

Memoirs and Works of Alissan de Chazet❦ CHAZET, Alissan de Mémoires, souvenirs, oeuvres et portraits

Original edition with author's dedication❦ GAUTIER, Jean-Jacques La chambre du fond + dédicace

A look into a historical paradise❦ MONTHERLANT Première Olympique. Le Paradis à l’ombre des épées S.P.

Letters to the French on Language and Soul❦ DRUON MAURICE LETTRES AUX FRANCAIS SUR LEUR LANGUE ET LEUR AME

Life and Prophecies of Count Gobineau❦ GObineau VIE ET LES PROPHETIES DU COMTE DE GOBINEAU + dédicace

Essays on the novel and its themes❦ SARRAUTE (Nathalie). L’ère du soupçon. Essais sur le roman S.P. + dédicace

A biographical exploration of Marceline Desbordes-Valmore❦ DESCAVES LUCIEN LA VIE DOULOUREUSE DE MARCELINE DESBORDES-VALMORE

A dedicated work on Marrakech❦ MARRAKECH DANS LES PALMES + dédicace

📦 We ship antiquarian books worldwide

The shop

Information

Newsletter

Follow us