SC -

[Decker, Terry D.]

Good speculation.  The Augsburg bankers were involved with funding the spice
industry in the 16th Century.  The Fuggers, in particular, were deeply
involved in the Portuguese spice trade.

I haven't read them but you might try Victor Von Klarwill's Fugger
News-Letters (1924), The Fugger News-Letters: Second Series (1972) and
Unpublished Letters from the Correspondents of the House of Fugger During
the Years 1586-1605 (1977).

There are also some collections of Italian trade documents and
correspondence which may address the issue. 

Bear

> TOTAL SPECULATION MODE ON:
> 
> I wonder if there exists, anywhere, records of trade in spice
> futures/options. We do have records of such ventures being 
> insured, and
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> 
> TOTAL SPECULATION MODE OFF...
> 
> Adamantius