Identity area
Type of entity
Authorized form of name
Parallel form(s) of name
Standardized form(s) of name according to other rules
Other form(s) of name
Identifiers for corporate bodies
Description area
Dates of existence
History
The Baltic Exchange was based successively at Threadneedle Street and St Mary Axe. It was founded in 1744 as the Virginia and Baltic Coffee House, established as a meeting place for merchants trading with Virginia or the Baltic. From 1823, it was known as the Baltic Coffee House; later becoming the Baltic Mercantile and Shipping Exchange Limited (1900-1981/2). In 1857 the Exchange formed the Baltic Company Limited to purchase South Sea House (wound up in 1899). In 1899 the Exchange formed a committee called the City of London Exchange Syndicate to purchase a site in Jeffrey's Square (wound up in 1900). From the late 19th century to the end of the 20th century, the Exchange became a worldwide centre for freight and records of many thousand ship charters are held.
The Jerusalem Coffee House was frequented by managing owners of East India Company ships and East India merchants and brokers. In 1892 the Jerusalem became the Jerusalem Shipping Exchange of 22 Billiter Street, setting itself up as a rival to the newly established London Shipping Exchange. The London Shipping Exchange was more successful and bought out the Jerusalem Shipping Exchange later that year. In 1903 the London Shipping Exchange amalgamated with the Baltic Committee to become the Baltic Mercantile and Shipping Exchange Limited.