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

BASQUE au pays basque Raoul Serres

BASQUE pays basque d’après LE TANNEUR

BASQUE illustrés par Huygen

BASQUE 3 cpa

Maroc Meknès chanteurs, cordiers, lavoir 2ème BATAILLON D’AFRIQUE

Popular Front Revolution in Spain - 5 postcards❦ REVOLUTION DU FRONT POPULAIRE EN ESPAGNE 5 x cartes postales

Controllable Airship Expeditions❦ lenkbare Luftschiff SUCHARD der transatlantischen Flugexpedition über dem Kielen

Embossed card from the Belle Époque era❦ Belle époque carte gaufrée, motifs rehaussés de soie brodée 120 x 73 mm.

Set of 12 well-preserved cards❦ Dubout CPA x 12

Old provinces of France explored❦ Jean Droit vieilles provinces de France

Original ink drawing of an Oriental mosque❦ Mosquée Orient dessin original à l’encre signée PL 1903

Two postcards from Mauritius, 1918❦ Mauritius 2 cartes postales 1918 Île Maurice

First line trench in Madagascar 1917❦ Tranchée de première ligne Madagascar Diego Suarez 1917

Satyric portraits in Provençal❦ LILLE Autour de la Deesse Portraits satyriques écrit en provençal par un agent

Saramon: Panoramic View from Town Heights❦ Saramon panorama du haut de la ville 32 GERS

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