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.

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Postcards

Marseille careening basin EL❦ Marseille bassin du carénage EL

Mosquée Orient original drawing in ink signed PL 1903❦ Mosquée Orient dessin original à l’encre signée PL 1903

Auch Avenue d'Alsace Gers 32❦ auch avenue d’Alsace Gers 32

Riscle on the railway bridge 1914 Gers 32❦ Riscle sur le pont du chemin de fer 1914 Gers 32

Corse: The Inzzecca of Ghisonne❦ Corse l’ inzzecca ghisonne

Tonneins, Place du Chateau and rue Gambetta❦ Tonneins, Place du Chateau et rue Gambetta

Finance, inheritance, Humbert Affair – 10 postcards❦ finance héritage Affaire Humbert 10 cartes-postales

CERGY rue de la Mairie

Cambrai rue Cantimpré

Army Museum airplane Guynemer Independence DAY Rouget de l'Isle...13 CPA❦ Musée de l’armée avion Guynemer Independace DAY Rouget de l’Isle…13 CPA

Trench of the first line Madagascar Diego Suarez 1917❦ Tranchée de première ligne Madagascar Diego Suarez 1917

Wrestler Cara Achmed, famous wrestler❦ Lutteur cara achmed célèbre lutteur

cheval Auch - Gers Le Professeur Rey and his pupil❦ cheval AUCH – GERS LE PROFESSEUR REY ET SON ELEVE

SAINT CLAR La Place Gers 32

agen boulevard Carnot 5 maps❦ agen boulevard Carnot 5 cartes

📦 We ship antiquarian books worldwide

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