A representative sample of Be stars . I. Sample selection, spectral classification and rotational velocities

We present a sample of 58 Be stars containing objects of spectral types O9 to B8.5 and luminosity classes III to V. We have obtained 3670 - 5070 Angstroms spectra of the sample which are used to derive spectral types and rotational velocities. We discuss the distribution of spectral types and rotational velocities obtained and conclude that there are no significant selection effects in our sample.