South Sea Company Collection

The failure of the South Sea Company
3586525 The failure of the South Sea Company; (add.info.: Dutch satirical engraving on the failure of the South Sea Company, Mississippi Company, and bubble schemes of John Law and others)

Dutch satire on the failure of the South Sea Company
3586575 Dutch satire on the failure of the South Sea Company; (add.info.: Dutch satire on the failure of the South Sea Company. 1720.); Universal History Archive/UIG

Quincampoix, bankruptcy of Law system, 18th century (engraving)
3586526 Quincampoix, bankruptcy of Law system, 18th century (engraving); (add.info.: Quinquanpoix. A Dutch satire on John Law of Lauriston)

The South Sea Company, and its House (engraving)
1601923 The South Sea Company, and its House (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The South Sea Company, and its House)

Ironmongers Hall, Fenchurch Street and the South Sea House, Threadneedle Street, London (engraving)
983872 Ironmongers Hall, Fenchurch Street and the South Sea House, Threadneedle Street, London (engraving) by English School, (18th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Ironmongers Hall)

The South Sea Scheme, 1722. Creator: William Hogarth
The South Sea Scheme, 1722

Portrait of John Law (1671-1729), 1720. Creator: Anonymous
Portrait of John Law (1671-1729), 1720. Private Collection

Investment schemes: Contemplation for the greedy world on the rise... 17 Creator: Anonymous
Investment schemes: Contemplation for the greedy world on the rise and fall of the stock-jobbery, 1720. Private Collection

Portrait of Katherine Seigneur, nee Knowles (1669-1747), John Laws wife, 1720. Private Collection

Investment schemes: Memorial arch erected at the burial place of ruined shareholders, 1720. Private Collection

The Old South Sea House, (1897). Creator: Unknown
The Old South Sea House, (1897). Old South Sea House on the corner of Bishopsgate Street and Threadneedle Street in the City of London, was the headquarters of the South Sea Company

The true picture of the wind-trade on the Rue Quincampoix, Paris, ca 1720. Private Collection

Dutch satire on the South Sea Bubble, 1720. The battle between the Bubble Lords and approaching poverty. The South Sea Bubble, (1711-1720)

A monument dedicated to posterity in commemoration of ye incredible folly transacted in... 1720. The figure of Fortune is conducted by Folly in a chair drawn by the South Sea and other Companies

The Bubblers Medley, or a Sketch of the Times, 1720. Satire on the South Sea Bubble of 1711-1720. A bankrupt man behind bars praying, with mock brokers receipt

The Bubblers Mirrour, or Englands Folly, 1720. Showing the head and shoulders of a man, looking distressed, holding an empty money-bag

Stock Exchange, London, 1720. Artist: James Cole
The Bubblers bubbl d, or the Devil take the hindmost, 1720; showing the interior of the Stock Exchange, with many figures showing pleasure or dismay

Trade label of the South Sea Company, 18th century (1894). The South Sea Company was founded in 1711 in order to trade with Spanish America on the assumption that the War of the Spanish Succession

A Satire on the South Sea Company, 1721. Artist: William Hogarth
A Satire on the South Sea Company, 1721. The South Sea Bubble (1711-1720), showing greed and speculation which preceded the bubble

The Brabant Skreen, 1721. A satire on the South Sea company. The Duchess of Kendal gives money to Robert Knight (treasurer of the company), to enable him to escape

The Bubblers Mirrorour, or Englands Folley (joy), 1720. Shares in the South Sea Company rose through overheated speculation causing the South Sea Bubble

The Bubblers Mirrorour, or Englands Folley (grief), 1720. Shares in the South Sea Company rose through overheated speculation causing the South Sea Bubble

The Bubblers Bubbl d or The Devil Take the Hindmost, 1720. Shares in the South Sea Company rose through overheated speculation causing the South Sea Bubble

Wind dealers dropping money... ca 1720. Artist: Schmid (1667-1744)
Wind dealers dropping money... ca 1720. From a private collection

Change Alley during the frenzy of the South Sea Bubble. The speculation mania in the 18th century England which ended in the financial ruin of many of its investors

The Old South Sea House, on the corner of Bishopsgate Street and Threadneedle Street, City of London, England. Seen here in 1754

The South Sea House Threadneedle Street London England. From The Book The Life Of Charles Lamb Volume I By E V Lucas Published 1905

Luciphers New Row-Barge, circa 1721 (engraving)
XJF867854 Luciphers New Row-Barge, circa 1721 (engraving) by English School, (18th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: BM 1865, 0114.430); English, out of copyright

The Bubblers Medley, or a sketch of the Times being Europe memorial for the year 1720
XJF867845 The Bubblers Medley, or a sketch of the Times being Europe memorial for the year 1720, circa 1720 (engraving) by English School, (18th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: BM 1860)

The Bubblers Medley, or a Sketch of the Times: Being Europes Memorial for the Year 1720
XJF867841 The Bubblers Medley, or a Sketch of the Times: Being Europes Memorial for the Year 1720, published by Carington Bowles, 1720 (etching) by English School

The South Sea Bubble, print made by Thomas Boys, 1825
XJF863016 The South Sea Bubble, print made by Thomas Boys, 1825 by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

Change Alley during the phrenzy of the South Sea Bubble (engraving) (b&w photo)
XJF106657 Change Alley during the phrenzy of the South Sea Bubble (engraving) (b&w photo) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; English, out of copyright

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"The South Sea Company: A Tale of Greed and Ruin" Step back in time to 18th century London, where the allure of wealth and prosperity captivated the hearts and minds of many. The South Sea Company, with its grand House on Fenchurch Street and Threadneedle Street, stood as a symbol of power and opportunity. But behind the elegant engravings depicting these prestigious buildings lay a dark tale of deception. The South Sea Scheme, masterminded by William Hogarth's brilliant mind, promised unimaginable riches to those who dared invest. Little did they know that this scheme would lead to their downfall. John Law, an enigmatic figure whose portrait remains anonymous, played a pivotal role in this financial frenzy. His charisma lured countless individuals into investing their fortunes in hopes of securing a better future for themselves and their families. As investment schemes flourished like never before, greed consumed society. Contemplation for the greedy world on the rise became a common sight – a reminder of how easily one could be enticed by promises too good to be true. Amidst this chaos was Katherine Seigneur, John Law's wife. Her portrait tells us that even she fell victim to the allure of quick wealth. Yet little did she know that her husband's actions would lead to ruin for so many innocent shareholders. The infamous South Sea Bubble burst in 1720, leaving devastation in its wake. Ruined shareholders found solace only at the memorial arch erected at their burial place – a haunting reminder of their incredible folly. Even across borders, echoes of this catastrophe reverberated through Europe. The wind-trade on Rue Quincampoix in Paris mirrored London's madness as people chased after illusory profits without realizing they were caught up in another bubble waiting to burst. Dutch satire captured the absurdity surrounding the South Sea Bubble perfectly – reminding us all that history has always been filled with lessons to be learned.