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

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

agen boulevard Carnot 5 maps❦ agen boulevard Carnot 5 cartes

Japan woman, ca. 1907❦ Japon femme vers 1907

postcard containing a short love note dated 1 January 1866❦ carte-postale contenant un petit mot d’amour daté du 1e janvier 1866

dancer of CAE-WALK 1907❦ danseur de CAE-WALK 1907

Saint-Sever sur Adour Place du tour du sol 32

Vierzon rue Voltaire

Djibouti DANKALI souvenirs d'Abyssinie❦ Djibouti DANKALI souvenirs d’abyssinie

Vierzon Bourganeuf New Street 18❦ Vierzon Bourganeuf rue neuve 18

élégantes en bistre 4 CPA illustrated by Bottaro HAIRSTYLE FASHION❦ élégantes en bistre 4 CPA illustré par Bottaro COIFFURE MODE

DOUAI maisons des templiers

ALGER port, admiralty, consular palace...❦ ALGER port, amirauté, palais consulaire…

CHAMONIX sea of ice Mont-Blanc Montanvert...❦ CHAMONIX mer de glace Mont-Blanc Montanvert…

Salting Works MORLAIX High Street❦ Salaisons MORLAIX la grande Rue

Judaïca Tunisia Young Woman❦ Judaïca Tunisie Jeune femme

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