Sunday, October 31, 2010

Flemish Financial Art


Scripophily is the hobby of collecting old stock and bond certificates. These financial documents have appeal both for their historical importance and for the aesthetic appeal of the vignettes (pictures that adorn the actual certificate). In other words, at the nexus of finance and art one finds certificates.


In the case of Flanders, these certificates utilize Flanders' long history of printing and illustration. Brussels, the capital of both Flanders and Belgium (and today the capital of the EU and NATO) has long served the capital needs of global finance. Japanese, Russian, Eqyptian, Chinese and other governments and corporations in the era up to 1914 floated bond and share issues on the Brussels exchange.


Here then, and in subsequent posts, please find some examples of Flemish Financial Art.
Copyright 2010 by David Baeckelandt. All rights reserved. No reproduction without my express, written permission.