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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Collections|Postcards|Africa|Madagascar, Guinea

First Day Covers from Tahiti❦ Tahiti Gauguin premier jour Tahiti 13 juin 1965 2 cartes

Foulah: Women and Girls of Guinea❦ Foulah AOF Guinée Fille & femme Foulah CPA

Congo postal card❦ Congo LIBREVILLE 3 CPA

Ethnic Dances from Africa❦ danses féticheuses AOF 4 CPA

A detailed look at Acajou wood❦ Afrique bois ACAJOU, maison Sargos, equarissage..4 CPA

Village and Types of Young Girls❦ Conakry Boulbiné village et types de jeunes filles 4 CPA

Beautiful edition of a classic tale❦ Saint-Exupéry 1er JOUR LE PETIT PRINCE ANTOINE DE SAINT EXUPERY 5 cartes

A glimpse into Senegal's 1903 events❦ Sénégal courses de rufisque 1903

Colonial Exhibition African Village❦ Exposition coloniale village africain, Groupe d’ensemble

Sénégalese village exhibition overview❦ Exposition Porte Maillot, Village Sénégalais, L’école

Exploration of Congo Français❦ Tchikoumbis à Loango – Congo Français

Dakar: A National Marine Service Garden❦ Dakar jardin de Hann SERVICE A LA MER MARINE NATIONALE Dupleix

Fetish of Enchantment in Congo❦ Fétiche de l’envoutement Série B Congo

Dahomey Market Scene 1910❦ Dahomey un coin du marché pierres à écraser le maïs 1910

The Senegalese Tirailleur's Sergeant❦ LOANGO – L’adjudant des Tirailleurs Sénégalais et ses hommes

📦 We ship antiquarian books worldwide