Dear Reader,
Yesterday, I told you about the Commonwealth 30 Rarities & Errors Index. I also told you how we could be on the brink of some massive price changes due to the forthcoming Bill Gross auction.
As evidence of what can happen, you only need to look at the price movement during the past year on one of the stamps which did trade...
The India SGO150d 1948 10r. purple-brown and lake increased from £14,000 to £25,000, an increase of 79% in one year. Two of these stamps traded at auction during the year achieving record realisations.
I quizzed our Philatelic Director, Dr Philip Kinns about this. I asked him what his experience was on the strength of the market for Indian stamps...
He explained that the strength of the home market in India is causing exceptional growth in prices. He has witnessed a number of new wealthy collectors and investors entering the market hell-bent on hoarding all great Indian Rarities.
But I thought… this sounds like an opportunity missed. Then, what he said next got me excited...
"Indian States have not yet attracted the new players in the market but inevitably collecting interest will move there too..."
Exceptional One-Off Opportunity - Rare Stamps from Indian States
I believe I have identified a market opportunity here. The market for Indian States stamps has not yet taken off…
But there are clear indications that it might.
Not only that... Stanley Gibbons recently acquired an exceptional collection of stamps from the Indian States. Our expert, Dr Kinns tells me that this is the sort of buying opportunity seen only once every 10 years.
We have already sold about a third of the collection...
I expect most, if not all, of it will be gone by the end of the year.
This is an exceptional opportunity to acquire a collection of rare stamps of the right level of rarity and quality in a potential growth market
This is a once in a decade opportunity.
To whet your appetite here is a small sample of some of the items available:
I.C.S. CHAMBA 1887 SG: 1a/17a -- TYPE: UNUSED -- STOCKCODE: P08900758
1887-95 ½a, 1a, 2a, 3a, 4a, 8a, 12a, 1r (slate), each showing the error 'CHMABA', which occurred once per sheet in the July 1891 printing, the 2a and 8a each in horizontal pair with normal, the 1r the top centre stamp in block of 6 (3x2, the largest recorded multiple with ANY 'CHMABA' error, ordinary or service), large part original gum. The phenomenal COMPLETE UNUSED SET OF THIS FAMOUS ERROR, which has never before been assembled or offered for sale, as the key 12a and 1r have always in the past been in different collections. The numbers originally possible were as follows: ½a 120, 1a 40, 2a 14, 3a 5, 4a 14, 8a 8, 12a 3, 1r 2, but the quantities surviving in unused condition are much smaller, and further reduced by the presence of one unused example of each value up to 12a in the Royal Collection. The ½a (ex Perazzo, RPS cert. (1911)) one of 15 recorded by us in private hands, the 1a one of c. 18, the 2a (ex Perrazzo and Stoney, illustrated in Stewart-Wilson (1897) plate I. 10, with RPS cert (1966)) one of 6, the 3a (RPS cert (2000)) much the finer of just TWO in private hands, the 4a (ex RL 25/4/62, lot 103, with BPA cert (1975)) one of six, the 8a (ex Perrazzo and Dale-Lichtenstein, with RPS cert (1970)) one of three and unique in a pair, the 12a (ex Sturton, with BPA cert (2006)) UNIQUE in private hands, the 1r (ex Frazer and Rose Hutchinson) UNIQUE (absent from the Royal Collection). A couple of insignificant blemishes (1a with tiny corner crease) and the 1r block toned, but overall very fine. An unrepeatable opportunity!
Price: £32,500.00
I.C.S. CHAMBA 1887 SG: O1a/15a -- TYPE: OFFICIAL-M -- STOCKCODE: P08900759
Official. 1887-98 ½a, 1a, 2a, 3a, 4a, 8a, 12a, 1r (slate),each showing the error 'CHMABA' , which occurred once per sheet in the July 1891 printing, the 8a in horizontal pair with normal, large part original gum. The phenomenal COMPLETE UNUSED SET OF THIS FAMOUS ERROR. The numbers originally possible were as follows: ½a 200, 1a 80, 2a 17, 3a 11, 4a 17, 8a 5, 12a 3, 1r 5, but the quantities surviving in unused condition are much smaller, and further reduced by the presence of one unused example of each value up to 12a (and a used 1r) in the Royal Collection. The ½a one of 15 recorded by us in private hands, the 1a one of 13, the 2a (ex Hind, with BPA cert(1997)) one of 10, the 3a (ex Hind and Sturton, with BPA cert (2006)) one of just 3, the 4a (BPA cert (1997)) one of 10,the 8a (ex Hind and Sturton) UNIQUE IN PRIVATE HANDS, the 12a (ex Speers, with RPS cert (1972)) one of just 2, the 1r (ex CRL 2/3/93, lot 1051, with BPA cert (1964)) one of four. Odd trivial blemishes (3a with thinned corner perforation, 4a with small annotation on reverse) and the 12a a little creased, but all of very fine appearance. An unrepeatable opportunity to obtain the complete set, which cannot otherwise be assembled because of the unique 8a.
Price: £22,500.00
I.C.S. GWALIOR 1895 SG: O10a -- TYPE: OFFICIAL-M -- STOCKCODE: P08903810
Official. 1895-96 1r green and carmine, error 'SERSIV' (last two Hindi characters in lower line transposed), very fine original gum with lovely fresh colours. From R19/1, May 1896 printing. From 12 possible, we have recorded nine examples (including one in the Royal Collection). Choice quality for this major rarity. Ex CRL 2/3/93, lot 1060, with BPA cert (1993)
Price: £2,750.00
I.C.S. FARIDKOT 1887 SG: O10b -- TYPE: OFFICIAL-M -- STOCKCODE: P08903178
Official. 1887-98 6a olive-bistre, error 'SERVIC', part original gum. Fine and a great rarity, being one of just three recorded in private hands (with another in the Royal Collection). Ex Sturton, with RPS cert (1970).
Price: £3,000.00
I.C.S. JIND 1885 SG: 6/a -- TYPE: UNUSED -- STOCKCODE: P08903849
1885 (1 July) 1r slate, type 1 curved overprint, block of 4, the lower right stamp error OVERPRINT INVERTED from R10/8 of the setting, brilliant original gum. Although four examples of the error may once have existed (if the stated printing figure of 480 stamps (four panes) is correct), only this unique se-tenant block (and a single in the Royal Collection) are known to have survived. Absolutely superb, and surely the most celebrated and desirable item in Indian Convention States philately. Ex Hind (Harmer 28/5/34, lot 232) and Sturton (CRL 13/12/95,lot 536).
Price: £15,000.00
The timing could be just about right to buy into this market before the big buyers get involved. There is no doubt on the quality and rarity of these items.
I remind you again, this is a once in a decade opportunity and I can't think of anything better to tuck away for the long term right now.
You will need to act on this fact though if you want to get in on this opportunity before someone else beats you to it.
To purchase any of the items above or to discuss a potential investment in Indian States stamps further, please contact our Investment Director, Adrian Roose today on:
+44 (0) 1481 708 277
email investment@stanleygibbons.co.uk
TOLL FREE from the USA 1 866 644 6146
Sincerely,
Mike Hall
Chief Executive
The Stanley Gibbons Group
P.S. Should you prefer not to specialise your investment, we would be happy to build you an investment portfolio providing exposure across a range of British Commonwealth countries where we believe the investment potential is strong.