It was like a biblical scene.
We'd just arrived in Israel but there was no room at the Inn.
The hotel had overbooked and as we were the late arrivals our rooms had already been taken.
Fortunately there wasn't a stable block... Instead we were offered a free upgrade to the InterContinental Hotel next door. We weren't complaining.
The World Stamp Championships started this morning.
It's the Olympics of stamps. Once every four years the collectors with the world's largest (and most expensive) stamp collections gather and display their wares.
The winner takes all...
This year it's a beautiful solid silver trophy donated by Shimon Pires, The President of The State of Israel.
The World Stamp Championships is an exclusive club. It's estimated you'll need a minimum $5m to compete for the trophy.
Four years ago the World Stamp Championships were held in Singapore.
There are also major exhibitions in Bangkok, Thailand... Jakarta, Indonesia... and China, later this year.
The last Bangkok stamp exhibition attracted over 650,000 attendees. The China organisers expect 700,000 visitors.
It highlights the global nature of the rare stamp business.
It also answers the question most potential investors ask us:
"How liquid is the rare stamp market?"
'Very' is the answer.
This isn't a small cottage industry. It's a global billion dollar business. And growing....
The Universal Postal Union is based in Switzerland. It's fair to say they are the 'governing body' of the whole stamp industry.
A few years ago they conducted a survey suggesting the total market was worth some $10billion per annum.
There are an estimated 48 million stamp collectors around the world. They want to buy stamps. Dealers need to buy stamps, auction houses have to buy stamps to stay in business.
This year, in Tel Aviv, there are priceless collections on display from South America, Australia, Russia, USA, China and Canada.
Stamp dealers have come from Hong Kong, Russia, Switzerland, Australia, Germany, USA, Spain, and the UK to recruit new collectors AND, just as importantly, to source quality stock for their clientele.
So if you are concerned about the liquidity of the rare stamp investment, don't be.
There is a worldwide market for quality rare stamps.
If you invest with Stanley Gibbons we guarantee you will receive a portfolio of the rarest stamps. We'll also advise on your best exit route at the end of the investment.
We also guarantee a minimum 25% gain in 5 years time. The upside is unlimited. You will receive a minimum +25%.
How can we make such a guarantee?
Simple... we offer investments portfolios of the rarest material. This is the 'good stuff'... the items we would be delighted to buy back in the future... the items we need to buy back in the future.
The rare market is growing rapidly; attendances at international stamp exhibitions prove it.
The 'good stuff' isn't freely available. It explains why we currently have a two week wait to become involved in our investment products.
We believe the collectables market is the growth market of the next 20 years.
To get you started we'll also guarantee you a minimum 25% gain in the next 5 years.
If you are interested in viewing a proposed portfolio then contact us today. No obligations.
Just let us know how much you are looking to invest and our experts will put together a proposal for you. Again: without obligation.
We'll also answer any questions you have.
And don't forget, there is currently a two week waiting list...
So get in quickly.
+44 (0) 1481 708 277
email aroose@stanleygibbons.co.uk
TOLL FREE from the USA 1 866 644 6146
Regards
Adrian Roose