LENOTRE, G. — THE FLIGHT OF MARIE ANTOINETTE. Fine Binding by Riviere & Son. London: William Heinemann; Philadelphia: J. B. Lippincott Company, 1908. Translated from the French by Mrs. Rodolph Stawell. With over fifty illustrations, including portraits, views, maps, plans, and reproductions of historical documents.

An exceptionally attractive copy in a signed fine binding by Riviere & Son, one of the most celebrated English bookbinding firms of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Bound in full dark blue morocco with gilt double-rule borders to the covers; spine with raised bands, gilt compartments, decorative floral devices, gilt lettering, and date at foot. The interior is particularly impressive, featuring elaborately tooled wide gilt floral dentelles, with the binder’s gilt signature “BOUND BY RIVIERE & SON” at the foot of the front turn-in. Blue marbled endpapers and top edge gilt; fore and lower edges left untrimmed.

A richly illustrated historical account of Marie Antoinette and the royal family’s attempted escape from revolutionary Paris in June 1791, culminating in their capture at Varennes. Among the illustrations are portraits, architectural and geographical plans, contemporary scenes, and a striking reproduction of an issue of Marat’s L’Ami du Peuple, described as stained with Marat’s blood.

Binding remains highly attractive with some rubbing and wear to the extremities, joints, corners, and spine consistent with age and use. Upper portion of the exterior board and spine with light toning discoloration from sunning. Internally generally well preserved, with occasional age-related toning and wear. A substantial and visually impressive example of Riviere & Son’s celebrated English fine-binding work, pairing an appropriately luxurious binding with an extensively illustrated work on Marie Antoinette and the French Revolution.