An attractive and quite collectible numbered first edition of historian and poet Pierre de Nolhac's biography of Marie Antoinette. This copy #359 of 1000 published by Boussod, Valadon et Cie, Paris in 1896 on vellum paper from the Marais factories. This lavishly illustrated thick folio volume in red crushed Morocco, exquisitely bound by master French bookbinder, Lucien Durvand (1852 – 1924), known for his elaborate gilt application, tooling and design work. (Signed on the front lower inner dentelle) Large 4to.  12" x 10" x 1.5" - 181 pages including the Tables. Frontispiece portrait of Marie-Antoinette in color along with 37 fine photogravure plates, text in French. Elaborately gilt armorial coat of arms of the Dauphine on front and rear covers, triple gilt ruling, floral gilt borders, gilt scrolling, gilt turn-ins and outer and inner dentelles, spine in six compartments with five gilt raised bands, gilt fleurs-de-lys in five compartments, the second compartment being gilt titled, all edges gilt, marbled endpapers and flyleaves. Light edgewear, corners and spine tips rubbed, wear along the hinges and some toning and foxing to a few interior pages. A few spots of leather dressing visible on front and rear boards. A sumptuous binding and beautifully illustrated book. An outstanding copy of the Boussod, Valadon 1896 first edition in the much sought after Durvand binding.