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 [...].

Large folio: [2]-25-52-31-8-10 pp.; 72 (of 74) pl. (pl. "Ter eeuwiger gedachtenisse der dwaasheid" and "Toverkaart [...] Tweede stuk" missing; edges of title frayed (some other edges sl. frayed), sm. tear without loss in f. B in 2nd part, some scrawls in pencil in marg. of "Eere-Titel", tear in folds of some pl., left corner of pl. "Key in 't hoofd" missing, occ. spotting).

Contemp. mottled sheep, gilt-ruled borders on boards, gilt-orn. spine with raised bands, marbled edges (spine sl. rubbed, corners bumped).

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", "Papegaay" and "De Wind Negotie of Invendutie Papier". Original prints: 72 engravings, printed on paper of varying weights, most folding, comprising all Muller's numbers only missing n. 27 and 74. Enriched with the plate "Louisiana by de Rivier Missisippi" (Muller 3615) and 3 portraits "Jacques III, pretendent d'Angleterre" (Muller 1613); "Quinqu-enpoix" (Muller 3611) and "Madam Law" (Muller 1612) on 2 sheets; mentioned as extra plates.
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 228136539).