Stanley Gibbons Share Discussion Threads

[abergele] 24/9/2007 10:47

Liars,
Great find and post, but I'm afraid it won't stop our trading pattern..

down for a spell. maybe buying again at 225p..pos. lower..

I am a little concerned as how the money people are viewing the markets in general, going forward, and are holding back cash as much as pos. because of the banks/ mortgage scenario working out....only a thought...

[liarspoker] 23/9/2007 18:25

The Shreves e mail to customers:
----------------------------------------

As a valued loyal client of Shreves Philatelic Galleries, Inc. we wanted to
share with you some very exciting news.

The marketplace for desirable stamps and postal history has become
increasingly global, with strong participation of collectors and dealers
from literally around the world. This was proven dramatically in our recent
June auction of the Great Britain collection formed by William H. Gross,
which realized a record shattering $9.1 million - with virtually all buyers
being from all four corners of the earth. We have seen this dramatic change
in the marketplace approaching and have been looking for just the right
opportunity to become more global in our business.

We are pleased to announce that Spink (www.spink.com), the world's leading
auctioneers of coins, stamps, medals and banknotes, based in London,
England (and established in 1666) has just recently acquired Shreves. The
two companies combined will create the world's largest auctioneer of rare
stamps (excluding private treaty sales) in excess of $50,000,000 in the
last twelve months. To learn more about their acquisition we invite you to
visit the following link on our website where we have posted an official
press release:

www.shreves.com/calendar/

What does this mean to you? First, we want to assure you that the combined
new company, Spink Shreves Galleries, will still be operated and personally
managed by the two of us, along with our loyal staff, so that the high
level of customer service and professional integrity that we have worked so
hard over the years to provide our clientele will continue. What will
change for our buyers will be a selection of stamps and covers offered at
auction unequalled by any other auction firm in the world. The finest and
most important collections will be found offered at either Spink Shreves
Galleries in New York City, or by Spink in London. Plus, you will deal with
a firm whose financial resources, customer service and combined philatelic
expertise are second to none.

For potential sellers, you now have a firm that has a truly global reach,
providing exceptional options for sellers to maximize the realization of
their collections. Together we can choose the best world philatelic market
in which to sell, depending on global market conditions. Plus, your stamps
will be exposed on the world's best philatelic websites, shown in
international lot viewings, marketed and promoted by the largest and most
experience philatelic staff of experts in the world. Not to mention the
peace of mind dealing with one of the most financially strong companies in
the industry.

This is a very exciting time for us at Shreves and we are delighted that we
can share with you this news for the future. We look forward to continue
offering you the finest stamps and covers presented anywhere at auction and
also providing you with the most personal attention of any auction firm in
the world. Our first sale under the new Spink Shreves Galleries banner is
already in production – a wonderful array of U.S. and Worldwide material to
be sold November 1-3 in New York City. Plus, there will be more exciting
announcements soon for upcoming auctions to be held in the near future. We
welcome you as a valued friend and client to the new Spink Shreves
Galleries.

Sincerely,

Charles Shreve Tracy Shreve
[e-mail] [e-mail]

[liarspoker] 21/9/2007 20:24

Nice day here today - I should have added a few K more at 220p.

Hopefully I'll get another top up opportunity in October. :O)

[liarspoker] 20/9/2007 14:53

Thanks Willie - I had a feeling it was t1pped somewhere. Too many buys to be a normal trading day imo.

I can see why Hall is positive btw. I have spend most of the morning looking into SGI - reading past accounts and industry reports etc. look at the return on equity and that with no debt !! Also look at the margins and return on assets. Man - Buffett would love this one. :O)

[williemanjaro] 20/9/2007 14:49

For your info Liars -just listened to a Web Cast with Mike Hall the CEO of Stanley Gibbons -via t1ps.com....could account for a few buys-he was positive but aren`t they all!

[liarspoker] 20/9/2007 14:43

For those inclined to do some research I have included the link for the 2006 Annual Report for PCGS ( the US grading company ). PCGS is a different business model to SGI but it's interesting to read their take on the Autograph and Stamp markets amongst others.



Of interest was the increase in Autographs processed - up by 135% and Stamps processed up by 46%. Their Stamp division is only in an early start up phase though which is fairly ideal for SGI I would have thought. Autographs only represent 6% and Stamps 1% of items processed.

There's a huge market out there imo. :O)

[liarspoker] 20/9/2007 08:05

Geez - it's either been tipped or there's news on the way imo.

[liarspoker] 20/9/2007 08:03

Nice start this AM. :O)

[liarspoker] 19/9/2007 10:32

I agree with that synopsis Tom. Unfortunately I still don't hold as many SGI as I like but I'll add when appropriate. :O)

[tom.muir] 19/9/2007 10:30

As you know, Liars, I am a great fan of both Companies and agree that they are each different in the way they approach their markets. The vital point is that they both fully understand the sectors in which they operate and are very efficient in running their businesses. They are both 'lifetime' holds as far as I am concerned, although I have reduced my SGI holding slightly as it was top-heavy and still accounts for over 50% of my portfolio. Tom :-)

[liarspoker] 19/9/2007 10:19

Yes, ANGL is the best Irish & UK bank imo and of course I believe it's a solid hold ( or even buy at these levels ) but banks and retailers are totally different beasts. Look at the asset/equity ratio - you can see then why banks need to built a quality loan book. With such large asset/equity ratios the banks only need to make a mistake with a few assets to affect a lot of equity. SGI on the other hand can make a few mistakes without too much fuss. Of course the optimum scenario is that they don't make any mistakes or that they sucumb to the 'institutional imperative' once cashflow is greater then can needed for growth. I have faith though. :O)

[tom.muir] 19/9/2007 09:35

Ermm .......................... ANGL? (LOL)

[liarspoker] 19/9/2007 08:19

Level II is 3 v 1 but has been for a few days. I reckon there is a bit of stock around from the recent tiddler sell off. Once that clears we'll head higher imo. I can't find a more solid business but I'd love to hear it if anyone else can find one.

[liarspoker] 18/9/2007 11:18

Obviously I think so as well Tom. However I am still hoping for a cheaper price although I may not get it. I know for a fact that there are several people looking to buy or add at lower levels. I don't hold a satisfactory amount as yet so I will continue to add when I think the time is right.

[tom.muir] 18/9/2007 11:06

Rightly, I think Liars :-))

[liarspoker] 18/9/2007 09:12

Rightly or wrongly I added another 1K SGI shares for the long term. It is now on a forward multiple of 11.7 so that should equate to a gain of around 40% or so over the next year which easily beats my 15% growth target for my long term holdings. If they exceed targets which, from reading the latest share price note, they might then I reckon 50%+ is on the cards.

Just look at the Return on Equity, the margins, the brand name, the market share etc etc. :O)

[riskblue] 14/9/2007 22:12

I have just invested in a stamp portfolio with Stanley Gibbons, and know from my conversations with them that they currently have a waiting list for investment grade material. I'm guessing a lot of people are trying to switch funds into alternative investments at the moment.
Having seen the share price fall back today i have also purchased some of their shares as a long term hold. I don't think they will let me down on either score.

[harrykewell] 14/9/2007 15:44

What has scared all of the tiddlers out of the water?

[johnsoho] 14/9/2007 13:43

Personally I think that stamps are a very good investment

[moneybags] 14/9/2007 13:28

Down over 6% so far today.
It looks like the cash/credit squeeze is making the market makers think that money might dry up a bit going into stamps.

Time will tell.

Still holding.Ho Hum.

Regards , Moneybags

[jtcod] 05/9/2007 01:23

Good links liars thanks. SGI just looks like an obvious lifetime hold for me.

[liarspoker] 04/9/2007 20:13

Regarding SGI and the Chinese and Asian stamp markets:

[liarspoker] 04/9/2007 20:00

If people are using your catalogue numbers then you are a major brand or a major brand in the making imo:



Stamps should be mounted on the right-hand pages only with the selling price clearly marked above them. It is advisable but not essential to add the Stanley Gibbons (SG) catalogue number. This is a convenience to potential buyers. Vendors may insure the books if they wish at a cost of 2% of their value but there is a maximum of £ 75 per book that can be covered. Alternatively vendors may insure the books for part of their value.

[liarspoker] 04/9/2007 11:48

Looks like there are a few things on in the month of September ( from SGI website ). Will anyone from these threads be attending any of the fairs ?


Kettering Stamp & Philatelic Society Meeting - Sep
Kettering, United Kingdom
6 September 2007

Stamp Fair - Thatcham (Sep)
Thatcham, United Kingdom
15 September 2007

Stamp Fair - Basingstoke (Sep)
Basingstoke, United Kingdom
22 September 2007

Newport & Gwent Stamp Fair
Newport, United Kingdom
29 September 2007


Plenty of future activity as well: