1174 - The Great Scene of Folly, Depicting the Rise, Progress, and Fall of Speculation, Bubble, and Wind-Trade in France, England, and the Netherlands, Occurring in the Year MDCCXX. It is a collection of all the terms and conditions of the established companies of insurance, navigation, commerce, etc., in the Netherlands [...] as well as engravings, plays, and poems, published by various enthusiasts [...]. [Amsterdam] n.p. 1720 Large folio: [2]-25-[1]-52-31-8-9 pp.; 67 (of 74) plates (plates 38, 46, 64, 71–74 missing; tear in the fold of plates 11 and 19, occasional toning, and some toning on the text pages). Contemporary marbled sheepskin, gilt central ornamentation within a double gilt frame (one with corner pieces), gilt-ornamented spine with raised bands (slightly rubbed, minor restorations to the spine). First edition of a renowned satirical collection of texts on the speculative mania of 1720, consisting of satirical plates, charters of the Dutch speculative companies, comedies, etc. “The world’s first global stock market bubble suddenly burst in 1720, destroying the dreams and fortunes of speculators in London, Paris, and Amsterdam. The crash, which involved the famous South Sea and Mississippi Companies, inspired this anonymous publication of an extraordinary Dutch compilation of prospectuses, plays, poems, commentaries, and satirical prints [...] a unique and splendid record of the financial crisis and its cultural dimensions” (Goetzmann). Among the text sections are: “Conditien van de Compagnien van Commercie,” “De windhandel of Bubbels compagnien,” “De bedriegelyke actionist, of De Nagthandelaars,” “Quincampoix of de windhandelaars,” “Arlequyn actionist,” “Opschrift van het dolhuis,” “Versameling van gedigten,” "Papegaay," and "De Wind Negotie of Invendutie Papier." Illustrated with 67 engravings, printed on paper of varying weights, most of which are folding; all plates are listed by Muller except nos. 38, 46, 64, 71–74. Enriched with the plate “Louisiana by the Mississippi River” (Muller 3615) and two portraits of “James III, Pretender to the English Throne” (Muller 1613); “Quinqu-enpoix” (Muller 3611); mentioned as extra plates and a later state of the plate “Aprilkaart of Kaartspel van Momus, naar de nieuwste mode” (Muller 3600). See Goetzmann, *The Great Mirror of Folly* (2013), esp. pp. 35–51 (bibliographic analysis by K. Forrer). — Muller, *Historiepl.*, esp. nos. 3536–3609. - Kress 3217. - Sabin 28932. - STCN (various issues and made-up copies: our copy resembles 228136539).