Historical Gallery
All of the images in this gallery come from the historical collections of Baker Library at Harvard Business School. They are some of the many artifacts in the library that bring the historic events of the South Sea Bubble to life.
The Bubblers Mirrour: or Englands Folley
The Bubblers Mirrour:or Englands Folley, London: Printed for & sold by Tho: Bowles next ye Chapter House in St. Paul's Chu: Yard, 1720, Bancroft Collection.
The South Sea Bubble was not an isolated bubble event in 1720. As the South Sea Bubble was developing, a general interest in joint-stock investment opportunities was also picking up pace. By the middle of 1720, sometimes known as the "Bubble Year," the market was flooded with a remarkable range of new ventures, each creating smaller bubbles as the speculative frenzy mounted. If it could be imagined and promoted, it was likely available for trade.