Author: Koninckx, C.
Title: The first and second charters of the Swedish East India Company (1731-1766): A contribution to the maritime, economic and social history of North-Western Europe in its relationships with the Far East
Description: Kortrijk. Van Ghemmert. 1980. First Edition. Octavo. Cloth. As New. As New. 544 Pages, charts, figures and fold out maps. New! In this study the author treats the history of the first and second charters of the Swedish E.I.C. [1731-1766]. Laying particular emphasis on the Company's maritime, economic and social aspects. He recounts in detail the first two expeditions and their diplomatic incidents, dealing with sea-routes and ship construction before proceeding to a lengthy discours upon ships' cargoes and business practices, and ending with an analysis of the profits of the Swedish trade in the Far East. The life on board, the shipboard hierarchy, pay and promotion, the social status of supercargoes, officers and crew, disease and mortality as well as diet at sea are studied in the context of a general interest in the social history of East India compagnies. Similarities and differences between the Swedish and the other Easr India compagnies established abroad are identified; special attention is paid to the close links with the earlier Ostend Compagny, based on the Austrian Netherlands. The significance of the Swedish Company is related to the broader economic and cultural perspectives of 18th century Swedish and Northwestern European societies as a whole. The study is particularly concerned with the maritime-economic and social milieu of long-distance trade, wich during the century in question was beginning to show greater regularity and more structured form; for the East India compagnies can be regarded as the predecessors of the world pattern of overseas trade that emerged during the late 19th and 20th centuries.

Keywords: China Trade