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-[6] pp. + a number of additional prints and texts (some minor soiling, a few tears in folds and margins).

Contemp. red half roan (rubbed, corners bumped). Excellent uncut copy.

Original 1st edition, 2nd state, 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). The 5 original text parts are present: "Conditien", "Windhandel", "Versameling van gedigten", "Papegaay", and the "Brieven aan N.N." (4 separate 4to pamphlets, skilfully bound with). Original prints: 74 engravings, printed on paper of varying weights, most folding, comprising Muller numbers 1b "Eere-titel", 3, 4b, 6-8 (6: map of Zuyder Zee), 10-16, 17a, 18-26, 28-51 (33: "Gedenkboog", 49: "Tytel-prent"), 53-62 (59: Mississippi), 64 (map of Enkhuizen and Zuyder Zee), 66-69 (nr. 68 loosely inserted), 72. The missing numbers 2, 5, 9, 27, 52, 65, 70, 71 are replaced by various other original satirical engravings: Muller 3610c ("Register van alle de printen", listing 56 nrs), 3611, 3617 (3 pl.: "De tooverlantaarn"), 3619 (4 pl. with 2 scenes each), 3693 (Vondels "Zegezang ter eeren van Frederik Hendrik", Rotterdam, P. vander Veer, 1721, plano = Schuytvlot 121).
Unique copy with numerous contemp. additions, i.a. "Project der Amsterdamse Assurantie-Compagnie" (8 pp.), Josias Van Asperen, "Memorie" (20 August 1720, 4 pp.) and "Aan de Eedele [...] Heeren Burgermeesters [...] der Stad Amsterdam" (Dutch manuscript of 10 ff.), various different prospectuses, "Reglement op de wisselbank binnen Utrecht" (Utrecht 1720), "De treurende actionist" (2 ff.), "Cours der actien" (1 f.), "Het klaagende Amsteldam" (1720, plano).
Ref. Goetzmann, The Great Mirror of Folly (2013), esp. pp. 35-51 (bibliogr. analysis by K. Forrer). - Muller, Historiepl. esp. nrs 3536-3609. - Kress 3217. - Sabin 28932. - STCN (various issues and made-up copies).