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|Other

Airship over Garches with Mont-Valérien Fort❦ dirigeable Garches panorama au loin le fort du Mont-Valérien

Lyonnaise Puppet Theater - Madelon & Gnafon❦ guignol du passage de l’argue LYON Madelon et Gnafon

A comprehensive look at Toulon schools❦ Toulon le lycée

Art Nouveau Treasures❦ art nouveau LE PRINTEMPS

Prince Napoleon Portrait Postcard❦ Prince Napoléon 15 mars 1928 photo-carte

Infantrymen Firing at a Pigeon❦ fantassins tirant sur un taube

D'Artagnan-style divided skirt illustrated❦ jupe-culotte a la d’Artagnan illustré par F. LAFON

Solesmes Station❦ Solesmes la gare

Maritime hospital at Berck-Plage❦ Berck-Plage l’hopital maritime 1903

Lapalisse: National Street, the Shield Hotel and Castle❦ Lapalisse Rue Nationale, L´Hôtel de l´écu et le Château

Hand-painted postcard from 1909❦ Anniversaire carte postale translucide 1909 Boulanger rose peintes à la main

Photographic display of Catholic Alliance❦ commerce devanture ALLIANCE CATHOLIQUE photo argentique 1929

Regulations on Commercial Affairs❦ Tournay rue de la république COMMERCES MENU socialiste

Art Nouveau Postcard Masters - Symbolic Months❦ CARNIEL MAITRES DE LA CARTE POSTALE MOIS SYMBOLIQUES ART NOUVEAU série B n°1,2

Aviation Squadron Mouillard Le Castiaux Merignac October 1930❦ AVIATION ESCADRILLE MOUILLARD LE CASTIAUX MERIGNAC OCTOBRE 1930

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