Formed in Brussels in 1727, under a concession granted by Kaiser Karl VI of Austria to hunt for whales. The whole capital was subscribed by only 9 persons. The whale-fishing vessels sailed from Ostend to Greenland and Spitzbergen; on their return the catch was sold by auction. Certificates are signed by five of the shareholders, including the Prince de Rubempre (today part of the Mérode family) and the Marquis de Herzelles (Boone Auctions).