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

New Arithmetic for Trade and Navigation❦ Arithmétique Nouvelle arithmétique appliquée au commerce et à la marine 1846

Surrealist exploration of silence❦ surréaliste Cahiers du Silence : Léo Malet

Poetry and Prose from Late 1913❦ Vers et Prose 1913, octobre, novembre, décembre

Selected World Travel Journeys❦ Collection choisie des voyages autour du monde et dans les contrées…

Exploration of Martian Companions❦ MARS COMPERES ET COMPAGNONS cartonnage

Chronicles of Spain's provinces❦ espagne Excursions en Espagne, ou chroniques provinciales de la péninsule 1836

Reflections on Various Topics❦ OXENSTIRN Pensées de monsieur le comte d’Oxenstirn sur divers sujets 1764

Milan Cathedral - Lithographic Print❦ milan Dôme de Milan 31 x 45 cm lithographie

Charcot and French Polar Missions Continuity❦ Charcot et la continuité des missions polaires françaises : 1936-1996

Bernstein's Dedicated Melody❦ Bernstein Mélo dédicacé

Poverty and Our Responsibility❦ ROPS DANIEL. LA MISERE ET NOUS + dédicace

Handbook for the Pious❦ petit manuel des personnes pieuses 46 x 76 mm.

Signed autograph letters by French literary figures❦ Catulle belle lettre autographe signée

Earthly Songs - Author's Inscribed Copy❦ LACOUR JOSE ANDRE. LA MORT EN CE JARDIN. S.P. + dédicace

Soviet Economic Issues - Communist Party Congress 1952❦ CONGRÈS DU PARTI COMMUNISTE -LES PROBLÈMES ÉCONOMIQUES DU SOCIALISME EN URSS

📦 We ship antiquarian books worldwide

The shop

Information

Newsletter

Follow us