Identity area
Reference code
Title
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.
Publication note
Notes area
Note
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Subject access points
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Name access points
Genre access points
Description control area
Description identifier
Institution identifier
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