So said Malcolm Forbes.
And Malcolm knew about collecting...
Better known as the billionaire publisher of Forbes magazine, Malcolm also had a world famous Faberge Egg collection....
Malcolm also had one of the world's largest private art collections...... and a collection of special shape hot air balloons....and a collection of Harley Davidson motorbikes; he rode with a motorbike club called the 'capitalist tools'.
This was a man famed for his wealth and his opulent parties. For his 70th in 1989 he spent an estimated $2.5m, chartering a Boeing 747...and a Concorde...to fly in 800 of the world's rich and famous to party at his Moroccan Palace. Liz Taylor, Gianni Agnelli and Henry Kissinger were all there.
But one of Malcolm's biggest loves was autographs and historical documents. He rated them "The most undervalued of all areas of collecting".
"holding a piece of history in my hands"
What Malcolm liked was the historical significance:
"None of my other investments give me the joy that autographs do, because they make me feel like I am holding a piece of history in my hands"
"In my view they are the most undervalued of all areas of collecting, especially when you consider what people are paying for even second rate paintings"
And Malcolm's investment would have proven to be no slouch...
+1020% in the last 10 years
Fraser's Autographs are part of the Stanley Gibbons Group of Companies. Fraser's are Europe's largest autograph dealers with over 60,000 items in stock.
The Fraser's Index shows the value of the top 100 items is up 257% in the last 10 years.
Paul McCartney alone is up 1020%.......It's a small slice of pop history and an enjoyable possession to own.
Click here for Fraser's Index
Take it home and enjoy it
That's one of the major attractions....this is an investment you can hang on the wall at home and show it off to your friends.
Who would you like to own?
Winston Churchill: Have a look at this beautiful signed photo of the great man Churchill signed photo
JFK: JFK signed campaign sticker "Kennedy for President" a piece of American history
Marilyn Monroe: Possibly the finest piece of Marilyn memorabilia available in the world today Marilyn's bustier from "Some like it hot"
Abraham Lincoln: 1864 signed War Document
Just four of the wonderful items we have available for investment clients.
Imagine holding something which you know they have touched and includes traces of their DNA.......Many of these items would normally be found in museums so this is a rare chance to own a piece of history.
We'll even offer the same Guaranteed Minimum Returns we offer with our stamp investment programmes.
An ageing population with higher disposable incomes has seen the market grow in popularity and we believe the growth will continue as the true investment value of these pieces is understood.
Take Vincent Van Gogh for example. At a New York auction in May 2006 Van Gogh's 'Madame Ginoux' sold for more than $40m. Hardly a 'second rate painting' as Malcolm put it but at a price few in the world can afford.
With an historical document you can own a Van Gogh for as little as £40,000 ($79,500). We've been in the business for over 30 years and have only ever seen one Van Gogh document.
But just last week we found a second.......so we jumped at the chance to purchase it.
Van Gogh Document
Others are held in the Van Gogh museum in Amsterdam but there are few on the open market....remember, in 30 years we've seen just two.
Invest with confidence....NOW
Earlier I mentioned the Guaranteed Minimum Return Contracts.
Here's how they work...
Take an investment grade item home, hang it on your wall, and enjoy it for the duration of the investment. At the end of the contract period return the item to us..... or roll over into a new contract.
We'll pay for your pleasure......We guarantee a minimum 15% capital gain at the end of 3 years rising to a minimum 70% capital gain at the end of a 10 year contract*.
If the market increases in value then you will benefit further. It's a better rate of return than you'll achieve with a bank AND a lot more fun......and remember, these are minimum returns, the upside is unlimited.
And another major benefit: it won't be subject to income tax like your savings income.
These rates are only on offer until the end of June...so we recommend you act now.
Check out what we currently have on offer by clicking here.
Alternatively give me a call with a request and we'll see if we can find a perfect piece for you.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
+44 (0) 1481 708 277 or
email investment@stanleygibbons.co.uk
TOLL FREE from the USA 1 866 644 6146
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Happy investing
Adrian Roose
+44 (0) 1481 708 277
aroose@stanleygibbons.co.uk
www.stanleygibbons.com/investment
* terms and conditions apply, items to be returned in the same condition they are supplied.