Relive the "South Sea" bubble every day

If you work at any institutional fund, whether it be mutual, hedge or venture, you are forever on guard for the occassional repeat of the 1711 “South Sea Bubble“. Thanks to Sotheby’s upcoming charity auction of property donated by Netherlands Queen Juliana, you can actually hang a reminder in your office lobby.

Sotheby’s has four china plates for sale, circa 1720, each depicting a scene from that particular bubble:

– “Who speculates on New Amsterdam”
– “50 per cent gain”
– “Suddenly lost all my shares”
– “Crap shares and swindle”

Sotheby’s is estimating E7,000-9000 for the set. Every office lobby needs some art, and these 300 year old plates are a great reminder that some investment risks and realities outlive us all.

Can you name a social media platform whose valuation has us all believing that, like the exclusive 18th century trade contract for all of the South Seas, their fortress is impenetrable and guarantees riches for all time?

MRM