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|Themes|Fantasy

New Year Greeting with Openwork and Embossed Motifs❦ Bonne année (motif ajouré et gaufré)

Saint Nicolas and Old Bachelor Sayings❦ Saint-Nicolas doit-on croire certain dicton, vieux garçon…vieux polisson

New Year greetings with embroidered designs❦ Bonne année 2 cpa broderies

New Year Embossed & Relief Greeting❦ BONNE ANNEE gaufré & relief

New Year 1906 from Lectoure❦ BONNE ANNEE 1906 Lectoure

Good luck folding card❦ Porte Bonheur carte à volet

Nights at Ravières: Central Country Inn❦ Nuits-sous-Ravières le centre du pays attelage, hôtel

New Year Greetings, Embossed Postcards❦ Bonnes année 3 CPA GAUFREES

Saint-Sauveur Belloche House Inn❦ Saint-Sauveur maison Belloche AUBERGE

Hand-painted translucent greeting cards❦ BONNE ANNEE & MEILLEURS VOEUX cartes translucides peintes à la main

New Year embroidered and embossed postcards❦ BONNE ANNEE broderies et gaufrées

Embroidered greeting from African hunter, 1915❦ Rose ELLE T’APPORTE MA PENSEE broderie & gaufré, chasseur d’Afrique 1915

Authentic hair postcard❦ cheveux carte poste à cheveux (authentique)

Fortune-telling lucky charm card❦ Porte Bonheur carte festonnée

Portugal’s maritime mail during submarine warfare❦ messagerie maritime aux victimes de la guerre sous-marine, le Portugal

📦 We ship antiquarian books worldwide

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