| Why invest in autographs and stamps and not | | | | condition I have ever encountered. |
| traditional stocks and shares? | | | | My signatures collection includes firsts such as |
| I would not suggest that investors abandon | | | | Apollo 11 (first men on the moon), Wright |
| traditional investment mechanisms such as stock | | | | Brothers (first manned flight), Edmund Hilary (first |
| and shares. What I do recommend is that | | | | man to climb Everest) etc. My secondary |
| investors recognise the importance of | | | | collection is in signed artist’s prints and |
| diversification. Evidence proves that the | | | | sketches by artists such as Pablo Picasso. |
| movement in the prices of rare stamps and | | | | How do I get started? |
| autographs are uncorrelated with equity and | | | | I would recommend investors do their own |
| property markets. | | | | research. Firstly, look at our website and other |
| What sort of returns can I expect? | | | | similar websites discussing rare stamps. Sign up |
| Our Guaranteed Minimum Return Investment | | | | for our weekly investment newsletter to get a |
| Contracts offer investors a guaranteed minimum | | | | feel for the various products we offer and |
| return of 4% per annum over the next 5 years | | | | perhaps contact one of our advisors for a free, |
| and 5% per annum over the next 10 years. The | | | | no obligation personal consultation. You can speak |
| rare stamp market however shows excellent | | | | to your IFA, however most will not be aware of |
| growth potential. Rare stamps have increased in | | | | this product; it has been referred to in the past |
| value by an average annual compound growth | | | | by one financial commentator as “the best |
| rate of 10% in the past 50 years. | | | | investment you have never heard of.” |
| Are there any management fees? | | | | To sum it up, what makes investing in rare |
| There are no hidden charges. We offer free | | | | stamps/autographs so compelling? |
| storage and insurance during the term of your | | | | This is an opportunity for investors to achieve |
| investment. We also provide free annual | | | | true wealth diversification in a safe asset class |
| valuations. | | | | offering an exciting minimum return of 4%. What |
| Which stamps and autographs would you | | | | other investment do you know of that possess all |
| recommend? | | | | of these attributes: |
| I recommend focusing only on rare stamps in | | | | - Has risen in value every year for the last 50 |
| premium condition which historically have always | | | | years? |
| achieved the best returns at auction. Condition is | | | | - Shows no correlation with any other asset |
| all important when considering investment merit. | | | | class? |
| Rare signatures also represent good value at this | | | | - Guarantees a minimum return of 4% per annum |
| time due to the fact that it’s still a relatively | | | | over the next 5 years? |
| immature market. | | | | - Offers you an unlimited upside? |
| Do you invest in stamps and autographs? | | | | - Is easy to get into, with no hidden costs? |
| I have built up a substantial investment/collection | | | | - Historically performed well in recessionary |
| in rare stamps and signatures during my 10 years | | | | periods? |
| with Stanley Gibbons. Last year my investment in | | | | - Provides a hedge against inflation? (in the last |
| rare stamps and signatures was the only asset I | | | | period of high inflation in the 1970s, rare stamps |
| own that went up in value. | | | | increased in value by 600% in the decade) |
| My stamp collection consists of a number of well | | | | - Is backed by the biggest brand name in its field |
| known rarities from Great Britain such as a penny | | | | with a history spanning over 150 years? |
| black, 2d blue, seahorse and £5 orange. I also | | | | - No “opportunity costs” against savings |
| have a substantial collection of what I consider to | | | | earning “nothing” in the bank? |
| be undervalued rarities from British | | | | - Protects against any devaluation in sterling as an |
| Commonwealth countries and am currently building | | | | internationally traded portable commodity? |
| a collection based on what I consider the most | | | | - Represents an investment in a tangible asset |
| attractive stamp designs in the world in the best | | | | with a value embedded in history? |