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The Bubblers Mirrour, or Englands Folly, 1720
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The Bubblers Mirrour, or Englands Folly, 1720
The Bubblers Mirrour, or Englands Folly, 1720. Showing the head and shoulders of a man, looking distressed, holding an empty money-bag. The border consists of a list of bubbles, with a satirical coat of arms and verses below. It is a satire on the South Sea Bubble of 1711-1720. This bubble, or hoax, centred on the South Sea Company which had been founded in order to trade with Spanish America on the assumption that the War of the Spanish Succession would end soon with a favourable treaty allowing trading. The Treaty of Utrecht in 1713 was not as favourable as hoped, although confidence was boosted when George I became governor of the company. However by September 1720 the market had collapsed and many investors were ruined
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Media ID 15166632
© London Metropolitan Archives (City of London) / Heritage-Images
Bankrupt Bankruptcy Coat Of Arms Distress Guildhall Library Art Gallery Heraldry Hoax Money Bag South Sea Bubble South Sea Company Stock Market
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The Bubblers Mirrour, or Englands Folly, 1720
EDITORS COMMENTS
is a captivating print that captures the essence of distress and despair. The image showcases the head and shoulders of a man, his face filled with anguish as he clutches an empty money-bag tightly in his hand. This powerful visual representation serves as a satirical commentary on the infamous South Sea Bubble of 1711-1720. The border surrounding the central figure features a list of bubbles, symbolizing the speculative frenzy that engulfed investors during this period. A satirical coat of arms adds to the irony depicted in this piece. Below it are verses that further emphasize the financial ruin experienced by many individuals due to their involvement in this ill-fated venture. The South Sea Bubble was centered around the South Sea Company's ambitious plans to trade with Spanish America. However, when expectations for favorable trading conditions were not met after the Treaty of Utrecht in 1713, confidence began to waver. Eventually, by September 1720, market collapse resulted in widespread bankruptcy and poverty among investors. This anonymous photograph from the eighteenth century offers us a glimpse into history's cautionary tale about greed and its consequences. It serves as a reminder that even seemingly promising ventures can turn into disastrous failures if driven solely by speculation rather than sound economic principles. Displayed at Guildhall Library Art Gallery, "The Bubblers Mirrour" stands as both an artistic masterpiece and an important historical artifact documenting one of England's most notorious financial crises - an event that forever changed perceptions about stock markets and investment practices.
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