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

1911 Esperanto Congress in Antwerp❦ Antverpeno 1911 esperantista Kongreso

Electric Batteries: Manufacturing & Maintenance❦ ACCUMULATEURS ELECTRIQUES – COMMENT ILS SONT FAITS COMMENT ON RECHARGE 1929

The Art of Being Unhappy: A Legend❦ SAINT-GERMAIN L’ART D’ÊTRE MALHEUREUX. Légende 1860

Child, Family and Urban Society: Origins and Mechanisms❦ Enfant, famille et société urbaine : Genèse et mécanisme de l’inadaptation

Adventures at Skipalon❦ SVENSSON JON NONNI – AVENTURES A SKIPALON

A century of moving images: early cinema and photography❦ cinéma CENT ANS D’IMAGE Simonet

Modern Thought and Catholicism Explained❦ pensée moderne et le catholicisme cours de philosophie religieuse

Surrealist Tract Against Poujadist Deputies❦ Surréalisme 1956 cote d’alerte

Quintet: Author-Inscribed Edition❦ Moreau Marcel Quintes + dédicace

Saint Nicholas: A Token of True Friendship❦ SAINT NICOLAS gage d’amitié sincère

Embossed New Year Greetings, 1905-1906❦ VOEUX SINCERES DE BONNE ANNEE relief gaufrée

Hand-painted translucent New Year greeting cards❦ Bonne année Heureuse année 2 cartes peintes à la main translucides

Intimate conversations between men❦ Octave Pradels Pour dire entre hommes ill- de Kauffmann

Hand-embroidered flowers 1918❦ Bonne Fête fleurs brodées à la main 1918

Hand-embroidered 1918 floral greeting card❦ Bonne Fête fleurs brodées à la main

📦 We ship antiquarian books worldwide

The shop

Information

Newsletter

Follow us