A few years ago, a facsimile reprint of the first three parts of the General Armorial was undertaken from the publication of 1803–1809.

Emperor Alexander II approved the eleventh part – April 13, 1857 (153 emblems).

The Armorial was supposed to emphasize the importance of entering the emblems of noble families on its pages.

Therefore, the volumes of the General Armorial should look as impressive as possible in order to emphasize this significance.

The appearance of the originals of the first 10 parts of the General Armorial is as follows: each volume (size 40x25 cm) is bound in dark raspberry velvet (the successor to the Velvet Book), the images of a state eagle are embroidered on the outside of the binding, a silver meander coils along the blue field of the frontispiece enclosed in a frame.

All volumes are stored in case-boxes, covered in black leather with handles, for convenience and safety during transportation.

This last volume is a red velvet book depicting the coat of arms of the period of the Provisional Government.