La Banque du TimbreParis

Customer care

Refund Policy

A practical return process that respects both consumer rights and the fragile nature of vintage paper objects.

Last updated: 18 September 2026

Operator: La Banque du Timbre SAS, 5 rue de Provence, 75009 Paris, France.

Consumers in the European Economic Area generally have 14 days after receiving goods to withdraw from a distance purchase, subject to statutory exceptions. To exercise this right, send a clear statement identifying the order before the period expires.

Business customers and buyers outside the covered consumer regime may not have the same statutory cancellation right, but can still contact us about a return request.

After notifying us, return the item within 14 days unless we agree otherwise. Use protective packaging equivalent to that received and retain proof of postage. Do not write on, clean, repair, laminate, mount or otherwise alter the card.

The buyer normally pays return postage for a change-of-mind return. We may deduct for diminished value caused by handling beyond what is necessary to inspect the item, as permitted by law.

Contact us promptly if the wrong card arrives, transit damage is visible or the item materially differs from its listing. Include the order number, packaging photographs and clear images of the issue so we can assess it.

Where the claim is valid, we will offer the remedy required by law, which may include a refund, appropriate price reduction or return at our cost. Unique items usually cannot be replaced with an identical copy.

Approved refunds are made to the original payment route where possible. We aim to issue them within 14 days after receiving the returned goods or acceptable evidence that they were sent back, subject to mandatory law.

Original standard delivery costs are refunded when legally required. Premium delivery upgrades, import charges and third-party bank fees may not be refundable.

A return cannot be refused merely because a genuine vintage object shows characteristics already disclosed in photographs and condition notes. However, hidden defects or material inaccuracies remain covered by statutory rights.

Custom framing, conservation work or another personalised service may have different cancellation rules once work begins with the customer’s express request and acknowledgement.

Questions about this policy can be sent to info@banquetimbre.com, or raised through the details on our About page.

Questions & answers

Frequently asked questions

Collecting paper history rewards careful looking. Here is how we document cards, research approximate values, protect originals and distinguish verified facts from informed estimates.

What kind of cards do you sell?

La Banque du Timbre brings together vintage postcards, advertising trade cards, real-photo cards and printed ephemera from the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Each listing identifies the subject, period, place, maker or publisher whenever that information can be verified, while uncertain details remain clearly marked rather than filled with assumptions.

Are the cards original or reproductions?

Every product page states whether the documented object is an original period card or a reproduction. We compare dates, printing methods, publisher information, postmarks and archive records; when the available evidence cannot settle a detail, the listing says “Not specified” or “Unknown” instead of presenting a guess as fact.

How are the prices determined?

Prices are careful market estimates based on recent auction results, specialist dealers and listings for closely comparable cards. Subject, publisher, age, printing technique, postal use and known provenance all influence the estimate. Because condition cannot always be established from an archive scan, prices should be read as transparent retail guides rather than formal appraisals.

How do you verify your cards?

Each card is checked against a public archive record or another documented source. We retain the original record link, image licence and attribution, then separately research market comparables. The source and market-reference information on the product page lets you retrace that work and distinguish historical documentation from our current price estimate.

How is the condition of a card described?

Condition notes are included only when the source provides enough evidence. Typical signs of age can include corner wear, writing, postal marks, fading or surface marks, but a scan does not always reveal every physical detail. We therefore avoid invented grades and use “Not specified” whenever condition has not been confirmed directly.

Do you ship internationally?

Yes. Cards can be shipped internationally in rigid, protective packaging designed to reduce bending, moisture and surface contact. Available services, delivery estimates and final shipping costs are shown during checkout and may vary according to destination, tracking and the value of the order.

Can I return a card?

If an item arrives damaged or materially differs from its description, contact us within 14 days of delivery with photographs of the card and its packaging. We will review the case and arrange an appropriate return and refund. The card should be returned in the protective materials in which it arrived.

Can I use the card images?

Image rights vary from card to card. Many catalog images are public domain, CC0 or available under a Creative Commons licence, but the physical card and its digital scan may have different rights histories. Check the exact licence and required attribution under “Source & image credit” before downloading, publishing or adapting an image.

Are these prices formal appraisals?

No. The displayed amount is an informed retail estimate for a comparable example, researched on the date shown on the product page. It is not a certificate of value, insurance valuation or guarantee of a future resale price. A specialist should inspect exceptional, signed or unusually rare objects in person.

How should vintage cards be stored?

Keep cards in acid-free, archival-quality sleeves, away from direct sunlight, humidity and rapid temperature changes. Avoid adhesives, pressure-sensitive tape and PVC pockets. For long-term storage, place sleeved cards upright in an archival box or flat in a conservation-grade portfolio without crowding them.

Do you buy or research private collections?

We are interested in well-documented collections, especially groups with publisher information, postal history or clear provenance. A useful first message includes photographs of the fronts and backs, approximate quantity, known history and your location. An initial review is not a valuation or an offer to purchase.