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

The Time Will Come - Romain ROLLAND's Journals❦ Rolland Romain Le temps viendra Cahiers de la Quinzaine

Selected Works of J.B. Rousseau❦ Rousseau Oeuvres Choisies de J. B. Rousseau 1821

Romantic England and the Life of Byron❦ MAUROIS L’Angleterre romantique. Don Juan, ou la Vie de B.. Bonet

The Nizam's War - Historical Account❦ MERY Joseph La guerre du Nizam 1847

Wagner's Mastersingers at Royal Italian Opera❦ Wagner die Meistersinger Royal Italian Opera

The Centaur - A Mythological Study❦ GUERIN Le Centaure 1944

A Poet's Inner Confession❦ FONTAINAS André Confession d’un poète + dédicace

Parisian salon scenes from 1827❦ Stendhal DIVAN Martineau ARMANCE ou quelques scènes d’un salon parisien en 1827

An exploration of Mademoiselle Palmyre❦ ZIER – Mademoiselle Palmyre Trymbalmouche

A study of Emin Pacha and the rebellion❦ Afrique Mounteney Jephson Emin Pacha et la rébellion à l’équateur 1891

Illustrated adventure story❦ Desbeaux L’aventure de Paul Solange 1888 plat historié

Dante's youthful journey❦ Dante Vita nuova ou vie de ses jeunes années écrite pour lui-même

Reflections from Tarbes❦ DEREME, Tristan Les Rêveries Tarbaises 1931

Honor Book of Hundred Cities of France❦ Livre d’honneur des cent villes de France 1839, portraits gravés

French Art in the USA❦ U.S.A REAU L’art français aux Etats-Unis 1926

📦 We ship antiquarian books worldwide

The shop

Information

Newsletter

Follow us