Stanley Gibbons Launch China Rarities Index

London, United Kingdom, June 15, 2011 --(PR.com)-- Rare stamp and autograph dealer, The Stanley Gibbons Group plc have today announced the launch of a China Rarities Index tracking the value of a cross section of Chinese stamps.

Unlike Stanley Gibbons GB30, SG100 and Frasers Rarities Indices, the China Stamp Index is yet to be listed on Bloomberg terminals. However, stamps have been selected by experts to provide a cross section of the China stamp market as a whole, using data gathered from third party auction prices, mainly conducted in mainland China and Hong Kong.

The move supports the company’s development into the Asia market, with the appointment of a Chinese stamp specialist earlier in the year and plans for a Hong Kong office progressing well.

With the growing Asian interest in alternatives from wine, to art, to stamps widely reported by the financial press it may come as little surprise to investors that the Index shows growth of 200% over the four and a half years; an average annual return of 44%.

“Performance like this during a time when most investments went down in value shows just how useful rare stamps can be as a means of wealth diversification; The key is that rare stamps are an asset class not correlated with traditional investments,” said Stanley Gibbons Director of Investment, Keith Heddle.

The best performing stamp in the Index is the miniature sheet "Mei Lan-Fang 3y" which depicts a famous Chinese actor. Valued at £2250 in November 2006, it is now listed on the Index at £20,000; a return of 789%.

“The worst performer in the portfolio still went up 54%. Not bad during a time when many investments delivered negative returns,” continued Heddle.

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