Ross Perot, the billionaire ex US presidential candidate, sold a piece of British History in December 2007
A copy of the 1297 Magna Carta...
It is considered one of the most important legal documents in the history of democracy.
18 months ago in the midst of the credit crunch the item managed to sell for a cool $21 million at a public auction at Sotheby's, New York reported the New York Times.
The sale confirmed three things:
Wealthy Americans are interested in British History.
The Auction was in New York, with a global auction house, indicating a global interest.
Top Notch British history is a sound investment...
...and it's an investment market you should consider entering. After all ancient historical documents do not grow on trees.
But we do have something in stock of similar historical importance...
An original vellum manuscript signed by Henry VIII, dated June 28 'the thyrd yere of our reign'(1512) Just two months after Henry had declared war on France...
An original vellum manuscript signed by Henry VIII, dated June 28 'the thyrd yere of our reign'(1512) Just two months after Henry had declared war on France...
Think about that for a second...
Henry VIII - 1512
That's over 270 years before George Washington became the first US President...
It's one of the golden eras of British History.
Henry VIII is one of the most highly sought after signatures.
The reasons are simple...
You rarely see them; they just don't exist in any large quantity. You will rarely see a 490 year old anything let alone a 490 year old historical signature...
...and the historical signature of the most famous man of his time, no less.
Those that do exist are largely held in museums around the world.
And it gets better...
We have also managed to find a vellum document signed by Henry VIII from Hampton Court, dated March 9 1543.
Ania Polyniak is our autograph expert...she's been traveling the world cherry picking stock for us for over 5 years.
We rely on Ania's knowledge. What she doesn't know about historical British signatures probably isn't worth knowing.
Ania is continually amazed that it is possible to find a genuine Henry VIII item available on the open market.
After nearly 500 years you can see her point.
Ania summed it up well: "in all my years, I've seen a handful at most. They are that rare."
You see, most items of this age and rarity are carefully stored in museums. You'd be lucky to get the chance to see one...let alone own one...touch one.
The document relates to a debt incurred by Edward North, Crown Treasurer for lands received from the King (no change there then!)...Henry's signature is typically bold, like the man himself...
You need to be a pretty flamboyant character to make, and survive, history.
They didn't come much more flamboyant than Henry VIII.
He was famously married 6 times: "Divorced, beheaded, died; divorced, beheaded, survived."
Wife number 1 had previously been married to his brother.
Henry was so horrified by the sight of number 4 that he was unable to consummate the marriage...She got off lightly... they divorced 6 months later.
Number 5 was executed for adultery.
Number 6 outlived him and went on to marry his Uncle.
(Interestingly enough, she was born in the year our first document was signed)
Flamboyant with a colorful personal life! You can see why Henry is so attractive to historians the world over...
Henry was the most famous man of his time; his reputation has transcended 500 years.
Precisely what makes him an attractive investment today...
This is a unique opportunity
I don't expect to see many items like this in my lifetime, if any. I'd love to think I will, but the rarity of these items suggests I sadly won't.
We believe these items can only get rarer as interest increases.
Not convinced? Then consider this...
We are so confident on the future performance of this item that we will guarantee you a minimum 50% capital gain over the next 10 years.
That's right. Hold this item for 10 years and we will guarantee you at least a 50% capital gain on the purchase price. Far better than the current bank rate and far more enjoyable than a share certificate.
If the market for British History continues, like we expect it to, then you will benefit further, the upside is unlimited.
Plain and simple, your worst case scenario is a 50% capital gain. And remember, that's just for holding the item. You don't have to do any work.
It's that easy...
We are offering a unique opportunity that sadly only two people can take advantage of. Make sure one of them is you.
So call us if you are interested on
+44 (0) 1481 708 270 or
Toll free from the USA on 1 866 644 6146
Sincerely,
Mike Hall
Chief Executive
The Stanley Gibbons Group PLC