Tulip mania was a period during the Dutch Golden Age. Prices for some bulbs of the recently introduced and fashionable tulip reached extraordinarily high levels. In began about 1634 and then collapsed in 1637.  Tulips were introduced to Europe by Ogier de Busbecq, the Holy Roman ambassador to Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent. He sent the first seeds to Vienna in 1554. Bulbs were distributed to Amsterdam soon after. Tulips popularity in Netherlands began in 1593 and Carolus Clusius, a Dutch botanist, planted his collection of tulip bulbs and found they could tolerate the harsh conditions of the Low Countries of Holland.  Tulips became a coveted luxury item, and many varieties were bred.