Presentation of the collection

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The French Naval Archeology Collection is composed to date of approximately thirty volumes, all published over the past 25 years. As authors as well as publishers, we have complete freedom of choice in addressing our chosen topic. Our audience is a demanding one, willing to make the effort of acquiring authentic knowledge that is difficult to master but quite rewarding in its possession.
Our cardinal rule in compiling the works in our collection is that we work only with primary sources and texts, and with original documents. We have rejected all secondary sources and have exclusively used authentic historical documents, be they seventeenth or eighteenth-century publications (and some from the nineteenth century) or manuscript documents that are unquestionably a definitive source.
Extensive archival research has yielded primary "papers" by engineers, shipbuilders, and sailors of each respective period, as well as writings and drawings by some of the greatest naval minds of the era. We also found it necessary to have the fullest possible knowledge of museum collections in France and French naval iconography in its entirety.
A substantial corpus of information thus preceded the publication of each of our books. The availability of this material allowed us to produce the works we now offer to the public.
Could the topic of naval archeology be treated without illustrations? In our opinion it would be mistaken to assume that the text alone could suffice. How is it possible to study and explain naval architecture without a complete set of drawings, complemented by an accompanying text ? The purpose of the illustrations is to reveal the most minute detail with the rigor of a blueprint but also, we hope, in a much livelier fashion. Take a moment and browse through any volume in the collection, and have a thorough look at the drawings. We guarantee that you will find no comparable equivalent elsewhere. Our every effort has been to provide ship lovers and marine enthusiasts with a compendium of complete and hitherto unpublished knowledge of naval archeology.
The foundation of our collection is the classic "Vaisseau de 74 canons" (The 74 Gun Ship), in four volumes, followed by a series of monographs. Each one is a complete study of a specific type of ship, its historical evolution and development. An outstanding example in each category is presented and fully illustrated.
Whereas most works to date in the collection are devoted to the history of the navy as a military force, we do not neglect civil naval history. In fact four other volumes offer a summary of the development of artillery and the major types of vessels, frigates and sailing ships throughout the entire classical period from 1650 to 1850.
A survey of our list of publications will confirm that the collection represents nearly all types of ships. Although we are well aware that certain subjects remain to be treated, the groundwork has been completed.
Furthermore, our own publications are complemented by the reproduction of historical works that are out of print and nearly impossible to locate today. Here scholars will find key works of naval history and ship's model builders will have access to authentic documentation for their projects. We expect to expand the current collection of publications and reproductions greatly over time. Our fondest hope is that the current set of works may contribute to the development of interest and knowledge in our chosen subject. The response we have received in the field of ship's model building alone confirms the value of the work that has been done and is the most rewarding encouragement for the continuation of our project.

J. BOUDRIOT, H. BERTI

Each volume in the collection is presented in 24 x 31 cm format with particular attention to offset printing. The plates of drawings that illustrate the monographs may be folded numerous times without tearing or splitting. The glossary of each volume explains all necessary reference to fittings, masting and rigging. Detailed descriptions and design for all sailing manœuvres are skillfully rendered with precision. Elegant formal binding and blue cloth box sets with a colour jacket befit a collection of reference works worthy of a place on the shelves of all lovers and amateurs of French naval history.