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MOLL, Herman
A New & Exact Map of the Coasts, Countries and Islands within the Limits of The South Sea Company...
A truly fascinating and unique historical map depicting the infamous eighteenth century phenomenon known as the 'South Sea Bubble'. Moll highlights his map with a series of inset plans and miniature maps together with the prevailing trade winds of the region. The map extant is from southern California (still shown as an island) the area bordering the Gulf of Mexico, Central America and all of South America. The South Sea Bubble had its origins with the South Sea Company, a company set up (1711) as a British joint stock company, trading in South American commodities. The company was granted a monopoly to trade in Spain's South American colonies; a condition imposed on Spain as part of the peace treaty arising out of the War of Spanish Succession in 1704. The company, in return for the trading monopoly, had to assume the English government's Spanish war debts, which approximated to about £10m - a colossal sum in those days. By 1720, continued speculation in the companies activities had led the stock to rise dramatically from £100 per share to £1000 per share, before falling suddenly and rapidly back to £100 per share, thereby leading to the ruination and bankruptcy of many stockholders, and the extreme discomfort of some banks. The 'bubble' had well and truly burst!
Size: 675 x 510 mm. Copperplate map with original outline colour. Some skilful paper restoration to map folds and to worm holes and to some margins. Fair to good condition. 2 sheets joined.
