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

Japan woman, ca. 1907❦ Japon femme vers 1907

Pau the Hôtel Gassion dirigible, carriage & aeroplane❦ Pau l’Hôtel Gassion dirigeable, fiacre & avion

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

Aube poem postcard drawn with a pen❦ Aube poème carte-postale dessinée à la plume

bar, tavern, café DEVANTURE❦ bar, estaminet, café DEVANTURE

Bretagne the turned galette Kénavo..❦ Bretagne la galette retournée Kénavo..

SALLES 33 Formation d'une Charbonnière dans les Pins❦ SALLES 33 Formation d’une Charbonnière dans les Pins

reservists our painful farewells HOPITAL-DEPOT Fontainebleau 1915❦ réservistes nos douloureux adieux HOPITAL-DEPOT Fontainebleau 1915

MIRADOUX ASPECT EST LA PLATE-FORME 32 GERS

montaut près Auch 1903 Gers 32

Nogaro rue Nationale, Gers 32❦ Nogaro rue nationale Gers 32

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