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The celebrated "Compagnie des Indes", which arose in 1720 from Law's system, represented a remarkable economic phenomenon in France for over half a century and had a strong influence on the cultural mentalities of its day. The Compagnie des Indes is still a subject that sparks genuine interest today.
In the context of the "French Naval Archeology Collection", where we felt an obligation to discuss the commercial navy as well as the military, we could not have chosen a better example than a ship of the Compagnie des Indes.
Once we had obtained sufficient documentation, it became possible to write the monograph.
As a locus of information, we have surrounded a detailed graphic description of this "exemplary ship" with as much concrete information as possible on the fleet, its men, the voyages, and the trading of the Company. Our task was then to extract as many basic and important facts as possible from this bank of information.
Several synoptic tables, reproductions of engravings, maps, archival documents, etc. complete an impressive set of drawings which constitute the second part of the work whose goal is to "capture" the reality of the subject. This extremely rich topic required the publication of two volumes. A glance at the Table of Contents will give a hint of the wealth of information provided for readers in this work.

Volume 1

Chapter I :
The Fleet of the Compagnie des Indes
600-, 900-, and 1200-ton ships
Single decked vessels: Frigates, corvettes, scows
Conditions of Company ships built in Lorient 1730-1770
The BOULLONGNE A ship of the Compagnie des Indes 1759

Chapter II :
Officers and crew of the Compagnie des Indes

Chapter III :
Voyages and routes to the Indies
Voyages and routes to China

Chapter IV :
Commercial activity of the Compagnie des Indes
Gauging, preparation of merchandise, sample cargoes, trade with the France and the Bourbon islands, trade with Mocha, India, and China.
Introduction and traffic of goods in France.

Volume II

Monograph of the "Boullongne"
600-ton ship built in Lorient in 1759 by G. Cambry

The second volume presents an important dossier that explains how to build a model of the Boullongne with all her timbers at 1:48 scale.
It contains:

- A detailed technical commentary on the fifty plates

- A set of photographs of a model of the Boullongne built by Arthur Molle based on the plans in the monograph

- A complete catalogue of the rigging

- A set of fifty plates at 1:48 scale including all details of timbers, fitting and rigging

- Drawings done to scale of all the frames and riders