GB 0097 SR 0083 - South Sea Company: Notebook of Subscribers

Identity area

Reference code

GB 0097 SR 0083

Title

South Sea Company: Notebook of Subscribers

Date(s)

  • [1711], 1720 (Creation)

Level of description

Extent and medium

1 volume

Context area

Name of creator

Biographical history

Robert Harley, Earl of Oxford and Lord Treasurer, initiated a scheme for the funding of national debt through the South Sea Company, founded in 1711 to trade with Spanish America, on the assumption that the War of the Spanish Succession would end with a treaty permitting such trade. The Treaty of Utrecht, 1713, was less favourable than had been hoped, but confidence in the Company remained artificially high, eventually leading to the collapse of the stock market in 1720 (the South Sea Bubble) and the ruin of many investors. The Company, however, survived until 1853.

Archival history

Given by the British Records Association in 1962. Also known as R 0083.
GB 0097 SR 0083 [1711], 1720 Collection (fonds) 1 volume South Sea Company x Corporation for carrying on trade to the South Seas
Robert Harley, Earl of Oxford and Lord Treasurer, initiated a scheme for the funding of national debt through the South Sea Company, founded in 1711 to trade with Spanish America, on the assumption that the War of the Spanish Succession would end with a treaty permitting such trade. The Treaty of Utrecht, 1713, was less favourable than had been hoped, but confidence in the Company remained artificially high, eventually leading to the collapse of the stock market in 1720 (the South Sea Bubble) and the ruin of many investors. The Company, however, survived until 1853.

Given by the British Records Association in 1962. Also known as R 0083.

Notebook containing a draft address to Robert, Earl of Oxford, by the subscription commission of the Corporation for carrying on trade to the South Seas, [1711], including a list of subscribers of more than £3,000. The names of Governors and Directors of the Corporation are indicated by a mark in the margin. The last page of the book has been reused for personal accounts, including the purchase of female mourning clothes, 1720.

1 volume

Open.

Copyright unknown.
English
12pp, in pale green paper covers overprinted in gold with an elaborate baroque design.

No further list required.

The British Library of Political and Economic Science holds another collection relating to the South Sea Company (Ref: SR 1073).

The British Library, London, holds records of the South Sea Company, 1711-1856 (Ref: Add Mss 25494-584); the House of Lords Record Office has minutes, accounts, receipts and subscription books, 1711-1733; the Guildhall Library, London, contains correspondence and receipts, 1711-1765; the University of London Library holds warrants, deeds and accounts, 1712-1724 (Ref: Mss 89, 394); London Metropolitan Archives has a register of clerks, 1720-1853.

Sources: Historical Manuscripts Commission National Register of Archives. Compiled by Sarah Aitchison as part of the RSLP AIM25 project. Compiled in compliance with General International Standard Archival Description, ISAD(G), second edition, 2000; National Council on Archives Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997. Mar 2001 Finance Financial markets Harley , Robert , 1661-1724 , 1st Earl of Oxford , statesman x Oxford , 1st Earl of International trade Investment Latin America South America South Sea Company x Corporation for carrying on trade to the South Seas Trade Trade (practice)

Immediate source of acquisition or transfer

Content and structure area

Scope and content

Notebook containing a draft address to Robert, Earl of Oxford, by the subscription commission of the Corporation for carrying on trade to the South Seas, [1711], including a list of subscribers of more than £3,000. The names of Governors and Directors of the Corporation are indicated by a mark in the margin. The last page of the book has been reused for personal accounts, including the purchase of female mourning clothes, 1720.

Appraisal, destruction and scheduling

Accruals

System of arrangement

1 volume

Conditions of access and use area

Conditions governing access

Open.

Conditions governing reproduction

Copyright unknown.

Language of material

  • English

Script of material

  • Latin

Language and script notes

English

Physical characteristics and technical requirements

The British Library of Political and Economic Science holds another collection relating to the South Sea Company (Ref: SR 1073).

Finding aids

No further list required.

Allied materials area

Existence and location of originals

Existence and location of copies

Related units of description

The British Library, London, holds records of the South Sea Company, 1711-1856 (Ref: Add Mss 25494-584); the House of Lords Record Office has minutes, accounts, receipts and subscription books, 1711-1733; the Guildhall Library, London, contains correspondence and receipts, 1711-1765; the University of London Library holds warrants, deeds and accounts, 1712-1724 (Ref: Mss 89, 394); London Metropolitan Archives has a register of clerks, 1720-1853.

Related descriptions

Publication note

Notes area

Note

Alternative identifier(s)

Access points

Place access points

Name access points

Genre access points

Description control area

Description identifier

Institution identifier

British Library of Political and Economic Science

Rules and/or conventions used

Compiled in compliance with General International Standard Archival Description, ISAD(G), second edition, 2000; National Council on Archives Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997.

Status

Level of detail

Dates of creation revision deletion

Language(s)

  • English

Script(s)

    Sources

    Accession area