Het groote Tafereel der dwaasheid, vertoonende de opkomst, voortgang en ondergang der actie, bubbel en windnegotie, in Vrankryk, Engeland, en de Nederlanden, gepleegt in den jaare MDCCXX. Zynde een verzameling van alle de conditien en projecten van de opgeregte Compagnien van assurantie, navigatie, commercie, &c. in Nederland [...] als meede Konst-plaaten, comedien en gedigten, door verscheyde liefhebbers uytgegeeven [...].

Lge folio: [2]-25-[1]-52-26-[3 paginated 29-31]-8 pp. (some spotting and browning in text, some pl. margins spotted, the 4 portraits of each of the plates "Bombario Actionist (I)" and "Bombario Actionist (II)" (3561 & 3564) cut out and bound in separately).

Contemp. sheep, gilt-orn. spine with raised bands, gilt sides, red edges (corners rubbed and bumped, sides rubbed, scratches on covers, joints splitting, bands rubbed, def. on head and tail).

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 parts 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" and "Papegaay".
Original prints: 73 engravings, printed on paper of varying weights, most folding (some min. tears in folds), comprising all Muller's numbers only missing n. 18 "Eeuw. gedachtenis" (3553) being the same plate as the present n. 27 (3562) but in a later state and sl. adapted. Plate n. 65 "Kaartspel Momus" (3600a) in our copy being the same plate but in a later state with title "Pasquin's windkaart op de windnegotie van 't Jaar 1720" (3600b). Our copy includes one extra plate mentioned by Muller as such: "Louisiana bij de Rivier Mississippi" (3615) and 3 small portraits, not in Muller: "Jacques III Pretendent D'Angleterre & c. of Ridder van S. Joris", "Madame Law" and "Mre. Jean Law con.er du roy en tous ses con.ils".
Ref. Goetzmann, The Great Mirror of Folly (2013), esp. pp. 35-51 (bibliogr. analysis by K. Forrer). - Muller, Historiepl. esp. n. 3536-3609. - Kress 3217. - Sabin 28932. - STCN (various issues and made-up copies: our copy resembles 254984576).
Prov. Oorlof (stamp).