Increased Profits at Stanley Gibbons

With the news full of reports of economic downturn it's interesting to hear this week that Stanley Gibbons the stamp and autograph dealer has seen their profits rise as people switch to what they describe as "recession-proof" collectables. According to their Chairman Martin Bralsford. "The benefits of investing in collectables as an alternative asset class have never been clearer. Not only do rare stamps and historical signatures provide a means of diversification and a safe haven in difficult economic conditions but also provide a hedge against inflation." Interestingly their online sales doubled to become around 25% of their sales of almost £10 M for the first six months of the year. Once again the power of the internet and its ability to drive both sales and prices is in evidence.

For autographs, or 'historical signatures' as they describe them some of their sales this year included papers with Henry VIII's signature that went for £50,000 each. Einstein's autograph now fetches £6,000, Audrey Hepburn's costs £1,750 and even Madonna's has doubled in the last ten years to £895.