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

Senegal tirailleurs sénégalais and their wives departing for Morocco❦ Sénégal tirailleurs sénégalais et leurs femmes partant pour le Maroc

Tahiti Gauguin premier jour Tahiti 13 June 1965 2 cards❦ Tahiti Gauguin premier jour Tahiti 13 juin 1965 2 cartes

Afrique occidentale type de diola

Sénégal lessive au bord du Sénégal 1903

SAGAIE indigenous of French Congo GUERRIERS❦ SAGAIE indigènes du Congo français GUERRIERS

Congo Français - BRAZZAVILLE Apprentices seamstresses with the sisters❦ Congo Français – BRAZZAVILLE Apprenties lingères chez les sœurs

Dahomey and Porto-Novo Market Scene❦ Dahomey porto-novo sur le marché 1913

Senegal washing by the riverside, 1903❦ Sénégal lessive au bord du Sénégal 1903

Ivory Coast Mahogany Beads❦ Côte-d’ivoire billes d’Acajou

Senegalese Soldiers and Their Wives Departing for Morocco❦ Sénégal tirailleurs sénégalais et leurs femmes partant pour le Maroc

📦 We ship antiquarian books worldwide

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