If your question is not answered below, please contact us on +44 (0)1481 708 277 or email us at investment@stanleygibbons.co.uk.
Why invest in stamps?
Simple economics: A huge increase in demand coupled with a diminishing supply of rare, high-quality stamps.
Why invest in autographs?
Guaranteed returns with an unlimited upside are complemented by the wonderful feeling of pride from owning an important piece of history. How many people do you know with a genuine Marilyn Monroe signed photograph or a first edition of a Disney book signed by the man himself.
Why choose Stanley Gibbons?
Ask any stamp collector and they’ll tell you who we are. Established in 1856, Stanley Gibbons is a debt-free company listed on the London Stock Exchange. Fraser’s Autographs, a subsidiary of the SG group, is a global leader in autographed material. We only select the rarest items for our portfolios. There is often a waiting list to join our investment programs.
How do we differ from other investment companies?
We only select the rarest items for our portfolios. There is often a waiting list to join our investment programs so you can be assured that the items in your portfolio are of the highest quality.
What is the minimum investment?
A minimum of £5,000 enables us to supply a balanced portfolio.
What is the average investment you deal with?
The average investment is £22,000 and growing - a good indication of consumer confidence in this alternative asset class.
How do you select my investment?
We have over 3 million stamps and 60,000 autographs in stock, which are traded daily with collectors around the world. Of these, we select the top quality rarities for investment purposes. At any one time, there are approximately just 120-150 investment grade stamps and 30-40 autographs available.
How do I know if my investment is authentic?
We offer a lifetime guarantee of authenticity - which is vital for serious investors. The FBI reports that 90% of autographs for sale on ebay are forgeries. We only use the most trustworthy suppliers. Our reputation has been built over 150 years of trading collectibles.
How do I pay?
Payment can be made by cheque, bank transfer debit card or credit card. There is a surcharge on credit card payments, depending upon the type of card. All transactions take place in GB Pound Sterling.
Can I top up my investment?
Yes. Almost half our investors are repeat buyers. Simply let us know how much you wish to invest and we will propose a suitable addition to your portfolio.
How do I know whether my investment is gaining or losing value?
We offer secure online access to view your valuation(s), which are performed once a year when the new catalogue prices are published.
How do I go about insuring and storing my investment?
All investors are offered free insurance and storage for the duration of the investment. All portfolios are stored in our Guernsey vault. We also offer advice on specialist insurance via our partners Marsh Insurance.
Can I view my portfolio when it is stored with you?
Yes, of course. If you wish to view the portfolio in Guernsey we just ask for one week’s notice. You would also need to provide photo identification in the form of a passport or driving license on arrival or security.
Do you provide proof of ownership?
Absolutely. You will be supplied with an invoice as proof of ownership.
Guaranteed minimum return contracts sound too good to be true. What’s in it for you?
The contracts enable us to trade the rarest stamps on a more frequent basis. Whenever we have a rarity available, a number of collectors may wish to purchase it. The stamp can then disappear into a collection for 20 to 30 years. But by selling it to you, the investor, we have smaller bites of a bigger cherry on a more regular basis.
Do the guaranteed minimum return contracts offer income?
No, the minimum return is paid as a lump sum at the end of the contract period.
Do I need to know anything about collecting before investing?
Quite simply no. Serious investors around the world trust the team of experts at Stanley Gibbons to take care of their every need.
How do I sell my portfolio?
It depends on which investment option you take. We will advise on the best exit route when you decide to sell.
What about fees?
There are no management fees and we charge no commission for selling via a Stanley Gibbons auction.
How does rare stamp investment compare to other mainstream investments?
The rare stamp market is underpinned by 48,000,000 avid stamp collectors around the world. As such, we benefit from low correlation with other investments and are largely unaffected by worldwide economic and political vagaries.
How liquid is the market?
Stamps and autographs, which benefit from being highly profitable, are internationally traded in all currencies and the price obtained is largely constant wherever you sell them. The sheer number of collectors worldwide protects both the price and the liquidity. According to a Universal Postal Union Survey, the stamp market alone represents a global business of $10 billion per annum.
What return can I expect on my investment?
That will depend entirely on the type of investment you choose. The good news is that the upside for any of our investments is unlimited, with triple digit percentage returns possible on a long term investment.
What is the next step?
Please contact us on +44 (0)1481 708 277 or email us at investment@stanleygibbons.co.uk to discuss your requirements.