Books and Manuscripts

Matthaeus Seutter's Edition of Nicolas De Fer's 1718 Mississippi Bubble Map

(Augsburg, ca. 1730s). Engraved hand-colored map of eastern North America, with a focus on the Mississippi River and Great Lakes regions, with an inset view at top of the mouth of the Mississippi River and Gulf Coast; 20 5/16 x 24 1/4 in. (516 x 616 mm). In mat, 24 3/4 x 27 7/8 in. (629 x 708 mm).

A fine hand-colored example of Matthaeus Seutter's map of Eastern North America, detailing French Louisiana and the Great Lakes region. Based on Nicolas De Fer's influential 1718 map of New France, Suetter's map reproduces details of French Louisiana during the so-called Mississippi Bubble financial scheme orchestrated by Scottish adventurer and economist John Law. De Fer's map was originally published during the height of Law's reign over the French economy and was used by his Compagnie d'Occident to promote emigration to French Louisiana. Law's scheme infamously burst in 1720 devastating the French economy and leaving thousands financially ruined, and putting Law on the run.

Suetter satirically comments on this in his fantastic allegorical cartouche representing the Bubble scheme, with a female personification of fortune pouring jewels down onto a surging crowd of investors, all while perched precariously upon a bubble. She is flanked by cherubs who issue shares in Law's Compagnie, while others below blow bubbles. The scene is surrounded by grief-stricken investors, one of whom climbs a tree and another who impales himself on a sword.