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

Complete Works of Molière in 11 Volumes❦ MOLIERE Jean-Baptiste Poquelin Oeuvres Complètes

Loti’s Jerusalem in 1895❦ LOTI, Pierre JÉRUSALEM 1895

Geneva Tales by Rodolphe Töpffer❦ TOPFFER RODOLPHE NOUVELLES GENEVOISES 1863

Guide to Decorative Arts Overview❦ Guide des arts décoratifs.

Hélène Boucher: Aviation Pioneer❦ Aviation Héléne BOUCHER

Classic French Cars Poster❦ Peugeot 405 RENAULT 5 GT turbo

Gorky Theatre Program from 1937 Paris Expo❦ RUSSIE Theatre académique d’art M. Gorky 1937

Fernand Divoire’s Literary Strategy 1928❦ DIVOIRE FERNAND STRATEGIE LITTERAIRE 1928

Journey to the Ghazi’s Realm❦ Ghazi au pays du Ghazi Nelia Pavlova 1930 ISLAM

Memoirs of a Royal Musketeer under the Regent❦ Mémoires du chevalier de Ravanne, page de S.A.R. le Duc Régent et Mousquetai..

Alexandre’s Revolutionary Profile❦ Alexandre, Maxime P.R. Présumé Révolutionnaire

French school festivity book with music and illustrations❦ DUBUS (Hermin) L’Ecole en fête

Jean Pommerol’s rare Sahara novel from 1897❦ Jean Pommerol le crible 1897

Intelligentsia: French-Russian intellectual exchanges❦ Yves Tanguy Editions Palantines

Biographical tribute to Auguste de La Rive❦ Auguste de La Rive. Notice biographique

📦 We ship antiquarian books worldwide

The shop

Information

Newsletter

Follow us