With stamp collecting a popular hobby and lucrative investment, scientists are describing a comprehensive new way of verifying the authenticity and rooting out fakes of what may be the smallest and most valuable pieces of paper on Earth

published August 17th, 2013

A single example of the elusive ‘plate 77 Penny Red’ has been sold by rare stamp and collectibles dealer, Stanley Gibbons, to a private client seeking portfolio diversification.

Just two months after acquiring a rare example of the legendary ‘plate 77 Penny Red’, described as “the finest used example in existence inside or outside a museum” by Stanley Gibbons Director of Great Britain Philately, the company has announced its sale to a private client in Australasia for £550,000.

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published May 13th, 2012

Stanley Gibbons was hailed for ‘bringing diversity to the Islands in difficult financial times’ by Jersey’s Lt Governor, General Sir John McColl as he unveiled an official plaque at the new premises at 18 Hill Street. The opening of the new office marks six successful years on the Islands for Stanley Gibbons and reflects their aspirations of significant growth locally as well as internationally. 

Having established a base on the Islands in 2005 with the opening of their investment HQ at 18 Le Bordage, Guernsey, The Stanley Gibbons Group have rapidly expanded their footprint with the opening of offices in Jersey in 2009, before relocating to larger premises at the prime location of 18 Hill Street this month.

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published October 30th, 2011

Having announced a five-year sponsorship deal for Congress and the Roll of Distinguished Philatelists earlier this month, members of Stanley Gibbons staff were out in force at the four-day event, held last weekend, to meet with the organisers and key players in International philately.

Amongst the treats on offer were static displays on a variety of subjects including ‘Antique Writing Instruments’, ‘Transatlantic Mail’ and ‘Steamships’ as well as displays by members of Portsmouth & District Philatelic Society, Waterlooville & District Philatelic Society and Hayling Island and District Stamp Club.

Eight speakers presented papers to their peers, with Ashley Lawrence’s talk on ‘Les Ballon Montes’ being selected as the winner of the Stanley Gibbons Congress Cup by (read more)

published July 19th, 2011

Stanley Gibbons June auction demonstrates the strength of Indian and Chinese stamps with a bidding frenzy for rare Indian errors and 60% of China lots selling for double estimate or more.

Wednesday 15th June saw collectors and investors from across the globe focusing their attention on the Stanley Gibbons bi-annual public auction, held at 399 Strand, London as more than 1000 world lots went under the hammer.

Starting with foreign countries, the auction got off to a strong start with all Chinese lots finding buyers. More than 60% of Chinese lots went for double or more their pre-auction estimate including lot 19; the ever popular 1964 Chinese Peonies 2y miniature sheet (SG MS2199a) fine u/m, which sold for £2,760.

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published July 5th, 2011

Geneva auction house, David Feldman, sold a 1948 10 Rupee Mahatma Gandhi stamp of India for a World Record price of EUR 144,000 (US$ 205,000); this is the highest price ever paid for a single Indian stamp (smashing the previous 2010 record set by the 4 Annas “Inverted Head” error). Additionally it is also believed that this sale possibly represents a World Record price paid for a modern stamp from any country.

The stamp, probably the finest remaining example out of only 18 known in existence today, was issued by the Government of India as a set of 4 commemorative stamps on August 15th, 1948 as a tribute to the father of the nation Mahatma Gandhi, who was assassinated in January of the same year. These were the first commemorative stamps of Independent India, and issued in 4 denominations  – 1 ½ / 3 ½  / 12 Annas, and the 10 Rupees. A set of only 100 10 Rs. stamps (in two sheets) were overprinted with “Service”, making these the world’s least printed stamp.

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published June 5th, 2011

Even with tiny postage stamps, it seems, Chinese works are heading back to China. And when they do they’re shattering records.

At a standing-room-only auction last weekend, Interasia Auctions sold more than 3,000 lots for a value of  98 million Hong Kong dollars (US$12.6 million). And at another sale earlier in the week held by Zurich Asia, a leading stamp auction house, two stamps Cultural Revolution-era stamps sold for more then HK$600,000.

“Stamps from the period of the Cultural Revolution are extremely popular because of the great political story behind them,” said Louis Mangin, director of Zurich Asia, another auction house that specializes in stamps.

The Interasia auction was led by a block of four stamps known as “Mao’s Inscription to Japanese Worker Friends” from 1968, the largest existing multiple of this rare Cultural Revolution stamp. It fetched HK$8.9 million, a record for a Chinese stamp at auction.

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published March 13th, 2011

This fourth edition of the Stanley Gibbons St. Helena and Dependencies catalogue lists and prices the stamps of Ascension and Tristan da Cunha as well as St. Helena itself.  Now in a new format and easier to use than ever.   The comprehensive level of detail will be familiar to users of the Commonwealth and British Empire 1840-1970 catalogue.

Below you can find the catalogues key features:

1. Comprehensive priced listing of all stamps from early issues of St. Helena (1856) to date.

2. New varieties include the 1½d ‘Line through C’ and 8d ‘Shamrock’ on 1924 Ascension and the ½d ‘Damaged value tablet’ 1922 St Helena, as well as new discoveries, such as the inverted watermark on the St Helena 1903 `½d.

3. New handy size and format – more attractive layout, and easier to use. 

4. Now including more comprehensive introductory section to improve ease of use and to guide readers through the catalogue.

5. Fully illustrated in colour.

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published March 8th, 2011

Hong Kong auction house ‘Interasia’ will hold its largest stamp auction in a luxury Hotel in the Island from Saturday to Monday, with a presale estimate of over $6.45 million, according to the organizer.

The auction will include both rare Classic China stamps from the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) and 600 lots issued at the beginning of the People’s Republic of China. A three-strip of the $5 inverted surcharge from the 1897 Red Revenue series, which is valued at $619,000-710,000, is expected to set a world record to become the most expensive Classic Chinese stamp multiple ever sold at auction. Another highlight is the unique four-block 1968 “Chairman Mao’s Inscription to Japanese Worker Friends,” with presale figures estimating it at up to $1,032,000.

The issuance of the stamp was cancelled later but a few had been released from a post office in Hebei, according to the organizer. The owner of this stamp, Ng Siong Tee of Singapore once won a Gold Medal at the International Stamp Exhibition in Beijing in 1999, with his own collectio n of Cultural Revolution (1966-76) issues.

“As a philatelist, we are seeing in the People’s Republic stamps a level of interest and excitement that (read more)

published February 25th, 2011

World Stamp News is delighted to hear that a very substantial donation has been received by the National Postal Museum to expand its philatelic exhibition section.

Alan and Sandy Whitman have donated the impressive sum of $100,000 to support the National Postal Museum’s expansion to create the William H. Gross Stamp Gallery. Mr Whitman is a managing director at Morgan Stanley Smith Barney and an active member of the museum’s Council of Philatelists. 

Recently we reported that the Smithsonian and the U.S. Postal Service had signed a lease agreement for the additional space to build the Philatelic gallery. This new space will be added to the museum’s existing 65,000 square feet and is scheduled to open in the very near future. Collectors of US material worldwide are eagerly awaiting the opening of what will possibly be the most complete US collection of stamps and (read more)

published February 13th, 2011

President Pratibha Patil inaugurated the World Philatelic Exhibition, INDIPEX 2011, today with an inspiring speech promoting Philately. The President then later released a special limited edition Khadi stamp featuring Mahatma Gandhi which only hours later was sold out as collectors queued at the India Post stamp keen on purchasing their copies. .

Ms Patil said in her opening speech, “While technological advancements may have provided many faster modes of communication, the intimacy of the letter and the legend of the stamp cannot be matched. Stamps are usually printed on paper. For the first time in history, a special Khadi stamp is being issued which is on Mahatma Gandhi, the apostle of non-violence,”

A person could only order a maximum of 10 khadi stamps of Rs 250 each, according to the department, which issues them in a special collector’’s pack. The six-day-long philatelic exhibition also marks the centenary celebration of the first official Airmail flight in the world. The first Airmail flight took place in India  ”100 years ago, on February 18, 1911 a French pilot flew first Airmail flight between Allahabad and Naini. This 13 minute flight carried 6500 mails and was the world’’s first official airmail flight,” IT and Communications Minister Kapil Sibal, who was also present at the occasion said

The Minister said that, to commemorate INDIPEX 2011, India Post had

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published February 12th, 2011