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

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

Senegal Dakar Woman lahobé❦ Sénégal Dakar femme lahobé 1918

African Trading Company: Kouilou-Niari Operations❦ Afrique Sel kakamouèka compagnie du kouilou-Niari

Kikuyu Dancers - Holy Ghost Mission❦ Danseurs Kikouyous Mission des P.P Du Saint Esprit 2 CPA

Senegal village landscape from 1907❦ Sénégal djogountouro village sur le Sénégal 1907

French Guinea: Griots' Dance❦ Guinée française danse de Griots

A glance at Haute-Guinée❦ Haute-Guinée femme du chef Toumanéa 1908

African West Coast Aborigines❦ Albinos Côte occidentale d’Afrique Baoulé

Saint-Louis, Senegal by the river fountain❦ Sénégal Saint-Louis à la fontaine sur le bord du fleuve

Inhabitants of the Mountains of Macina❦ SOUDAN, HABBES HABITANTS DES MONTAGNES DU MACINA 1907

Art and daily life in Dahomey❦ Dahomey Vendeuse de Kandji et Ata, Porteuses d’eau

Exploration of Ogooué River Region❦ Congo Pahouin et Pahouine Yeuoi – Ogooué

Indigenous weapons of French Congo❦ SAGAIE indigènes du Congo français GUERRIERS

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