Barings in America

Barings in America

An Interactive Investment Experience

On view through July 2013

In 1818, the Duc de Richelieu called Barings Bank the sixth great European power, just after England, France, Prussia, Austria and Russia. Barings was one of the few significant investment banks of the 18th and 19th centuries, and it remained a leader until its downfall in 1995. This exhibit explores five of the firm's US investments, some good and some bad. Barings chose to invest in the fledgling nation. Would you have done the same?

Baring Brothers leather wallet for letter of credit, 1919. Credit: Museum of American Finance Baring Brothers leather wallet for letter of credit, 1919. Credit: Museum of American Finance

Second Bank of the United States bond issued to Baring Brothers & Co., 1830. Credit: Museum of American Finance Second Bank of the United States bond issued to Baring Brothers & Co., 1830. Credit: Museum of American Finance

American Bicycle Company stock certificate specimen, 1902. Credit: Bob Kerstein, Scripophily.com American Bicycle Company stock certificate specimen, 1902. Credit: Bob Kerstein, Scripophily.com

Cartoon from <i>Judge</i> magazine, 1893. Credit: Museum of American Finance Cartoon from Judge magazine, 1893. Credit: Museum of American Finance

Columbia Bicycles by Pope Manufacturing advertisement in <i>Judge</i> magazine, 1897. Credit: Museum of American Finance Columbia Bicycles by Pope Manufacturing advertisement in Judge magazine, 1897. Credit: Museum of American Finance

Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad account ledger, 1884 -1889. Credit: The Baring Archive Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad account ledger, 1884 -1889. Credit: The Baring Archive

American Telephone & Telegraph Company prospectus, 1907. Credit: The Baring Archive American Telephone & Telegraph Company prospectus, 1907. Credit: The Baring Archive

Columbia Bicycles by Pope Manufacturing advertisement in <i>Judge</i> magazine, 1897. Credit: Museum of American Finance Columbia Bicycles by Pope Manufacturing advertisement in Judge magazine, 1897. Credit: Museum of American Finance

Map titled “Plan of Part of the District of Main,” which was commissioned from the workshop of William Faden, the king’s geographer. Credit: The Baring Archive Map titled “Plan of Part of the District of Main,” which was commissioned from the workshop of William Faden, the king’s geographer. Credit: The Baring Archive

Map of Mississippi Valley System and Louisiana Territory, published by Guillaime De L’Isle, 1718. Credit: The Baring Archive Map of Mississippi Valley System and Louisiana Territory, published by Guillaime De L’Isle, 1718. Credit: The Baring Archive

Louisiana Purchase prospectus, 1804. Credit: The Baring Archive Louisiana Purchase prospectus, 1804. Credit: The Baring Archive

Credits