A masterpiece of incalculable value without which today we could not have information on the countless warships that sailed the seas in the service of his gracious majesty.

Read the full Spanish review here

Miniaturas JM

This series of books is one that I would likely have passed over, had I not seen them at the bookstore where I work. I am so very glad I did come across them, because they are a brilliant example of the kind of content that can result from good partnerships between libraries, archives and publishers...

... well worth a place of pride on any coffee table or bookshelf. I especially recommend these books for those who are interested in the Royal Navy 1870-1939, and anybody who enjoys studying the minutiae of warship design, fittings and decorations.

The Northern Mariner / Le marin du nord, XVIII, No. 2 (Spring 2018) – reviewed by Sam McLean Toronto, Ontario

This volume continues the coverage of cruisers begun in Volume III. – This is a reproduction of the set of eight volumes held by the British National Maritime Museum where it has provided an unparalleled source of information for the Museum’s staff – Most Highly Recommended.

Read the complete review online here.

Firetrench

As with the previous volumes, the standard of reproduction of Perkin's original watercolours is superb in this beautifully produced volume which is excellent value for money.
An outstanding volume which deserves to be on the bookshelf of all those interested in the Royal Navy.

Marine News

This unique hand-drawn manuscript was donated to, and is now being published in association with, the National Maritime Museum in a multi-volume edition that captures all the qualities of the original. This second part of Volume IV includes most of the smaller cruisers from about 1916 back to the Amazon class corvettes of 1865.

Every page is reproduced at full size - the book is in portrait format and measures 40.3cm x 31cm - making the extensive hand-written annotation readable, while the fine-line drawings retain all the colours that Perkins used to denote differences in appearance and alterations.

Ships Monthly, January 2018

With such detailed information it should be possible to identify and date photographs of the subject ships throughout their lives up to 1939. This feature of the original albums has been an invaluable resource at the National Maritime Museum’s photograph archive at Woolwich for many years and I can imagine that anyone with an interest in the development of the warships of this period, or with a collection of photographs to identify and catalogue more accurately will find this volume an important addition to their bookshelves. Yes it is expensive but for a recommended retail price that equates to dinner for one at a good restaurant you get a lot of information, coloured drawings that have been reproduced to a high quality and fascinating detail sketches. I value my copy and recommend this new volume of a unique series highly.

Read the complete review here.

Australian Naval Institute, David Hobbs

The pages are high quality reproductions of the original pages of the Perkins albums and the highly information it contains is amazing. Not just a single profile of individual ships, but many have extra notes and a series of pictures illustrating detail such as the mast arrangements, shape of the bridge etc as they varied between ships in the class and as they were changed during their service life. Even the neatly written text notes show changes as the author added or updated notes over time. What you have is very much a 'bible' of help to identify not only individual ships in archive photos, but also to indicate what year it shows the vessel. Individually the book is a delight to see by itself and as the growing set a magnificent reference.

Read the complete review here.

Military Model Scene, Robin Buckland

The work is unique and, by virtue of its accuracy, authority, and the sheer volume of detail, it fills a very important gap in British naval history. It well-deserves inspection.

NZ Crown Mines

This volume continues the coverage of cruisers begun in Volume III. – This is a reproduction of the set of eight volumes held by the British National Maritime Museum where it has provided an unparalleled source of information for the Museum’s staff – Most Recommended.

Read the full review here.

Firetrench

A very elegant rendition of a comprehensive set of detailed watercolours of early Royal Navy cruisers depicting each as she changed throughout her life...

Seaforth are yet again to be congratulated for bringing to the public another extraordinary gem from the NMM's otherwise unseen treasure house, and for doing so in such an elegant style.

Robert Griffiths, Seaweed

NOTE: reviewed alongside volume III

Both books are a wonderful addition to a naval book collection.

Click here to read the review in its entirety

Thomo's Hole - reviewed by Ian Thompson

A well produced and substantial collection which is an invaluable reference work.

Mariners Mirror