Why invest in rare stamps?
The world is getting older, the UK Government state the only growth consumer market is the 50-60 age group, this also happens to be the average stamp collector demographic. Stanley Gibbons recruited 11,260 new customers in 2005 compared to 950 in 1995 as more baby boomers are resuming childhood hobbies. Over 50,000 in the UK enter the over 50 market every month according to the Financial Times, over 10,000 per day in the USA for the next 20 years.

Salomon Brothers Investment Bank quoted rare stamp investment as the 4th best of 1907-1990, ahead of bonds and foreign exchange and averaging 10% per annum during this period. Warren Buffet and Bill Gross, two of the most important investors in America today are heavily involved. Warren Buffet the 2nd richest man in America and Bill Gross who runs the world’s largest fund worth some $590 billion, with half of America’s 100 largest corporations as clients. The New York Times wrote an article just last month detailing how Bill Gross is one of the largest current investors in rare stamps.
Stanley Gibbons offer an easy entry into the world of rare stamp investment with a minimum investment of £5,000. Our qualified team of experts is able to handle all aspects of the investment service: from offering only the highest grade material for purchase, to providing full assistance on exit strategies to maximise returns.
What’s interesting right now is that rare stamps are still trading at one-third below their 1980 price levels and are in an upward trend, whilst stocks are four times above their 1980 levels and in a downward trend.

Stanley Gibbons offer guaranteed minimum return contracts on all investments. These give guaranteed fixed rate returns of between 4% and 6% per annum, although another decade similar to the 1970s could show a potential upside of 698%. Alternatively, investors can purchase an investment portfolio consisting of specific items that can be sold individually in order to achieve maximum return. Further details are available at www.stanleygibbons.com/investment
Returns of Various Investments 1968-79 |
| |
|
|
| |
Per Year Return |
Total Return |
| Gold |
19.4% |
740% |
| THE ROYAL CURRENCY |
18.9% |
698% |
| Silver |
13.7% |
367% |
| Coins (U.S non gold) |
12.7% |
320% |
| Old masters' paintings |
12.5% |
311% |
| Diamonds |
11.8% |
281% |
| Farmland |
11.3% |
261% |
| Single-family house |
9.6% |
200% |
| U.S consumer price index (inflation) |
6.5% |
113% |
| Foreign currencies * |
6.4% |
111% |
| High-grade corporate bonds |
5.8% |
97% |
| Common stocks |
3.1% |
44% |
|
|
|
* West German mark, Japanese yen, Swiss frank, Dutch gulder.
Source: Salomon Brothers |
Further details:
Adrian Roose, Associate Director, Stanley Gibbons Investment Department
Tel:
01481 708 277
Email:
aroose@stanleygibbons.com
Web:
www.stanleygibbons.com/investment