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

Guide to 19th-20th Century Prints 1801-1924❦ Manuel de l’amateur d’estampes des XIXe et XXe siècles 1801-1924 Loys Delteil

The heir of the Rajah: Sepoy Revolt❦ heritier du Rajah. La révolte des cipayes

Impressionism and Fashion Exhibition❦ Mode L’Impressionnisme et la Mode Musée d’Orsay

Frederick II of Prussia: Life and Reign❦ Fréderic II, Roi de Prusse, 1788 DENINA Essai sur la vie et le règne Allemagne

Canadian Literature Repository, 1893❦ CANADA Huston Le Répertoire national ou Recueil de littérature canadienne 1893

Survey of European Surrealist Art❦ MIRO, MAGRITTE, ARP, MAN RAY, TANGUY, ERNST Peinture Surréaliste en Europe

Military Administration: 150 Years of Corps History❦ INTENDANCE MILITAIRE + cent cinquantenaire de la création du corps… 1967

Autograph Letters from Mme CATULLE-MENDES❦ Mme CATULLE-MENDES lettres autographes manuscrites & signées

Autographed letter from Henry Bataille❦ Henry Bataille belle & longue lettre autographe signée

Near East Chronological Studies❦ Chronologies du Proche Orient/Chronologies in the Near East..

Complete Works of Pierre Corneille❦ CORNEILLE Oeuvres de Pierre Corneille 1844

William Tell and the Swiss Liberation❦ SUISSE Florian guillaume tell ou la suisse libre 1807

Characters and anecdotes❦ CHAMFORT Caractères et anecdotes / Rives

Costume History Survey❦ Mode HANSEN H. H . HISTOIRE DU COSTUME 1956

Memory Temple, Two Barrels, Saint-Sulpice Building, Ode to the Countryside❦ temple de mémoire, les deux tonneaux, batiment de S. Sulpice, ode sur la campagn

📦 We ship antiquarian books worldwide

The shop

Information

Newsletter

Follow us