Stanley Gibbons Group Limited
30 October 2003


NEWS RELEASE

30 October 2003



STAMP PRICE INDEX UP 13.9% OVER LAST 12 MONTHS

Figures released by Stanley Gibbons on the first anniversary of the launch of
its SG100 Stamp Price Index show a cumulative increase of 13.9% over the past 12
months, with an impressive rise of 19.6% in the Great Britain section. The
cumulative increase in the Index since 1997 is 45.1%, with the top 5 Great
Britain items up over 100%.

The Index is based on actual prices, either retail or at auction, for 100 of the
world's most frequently traded stamps and includes selected items from all major
collecting areas: GB, Commonwealth and many foreign countries. It is weighted
towards the most frequently traded and higher value stamps and its components
are carefully reassessed on an ongoing basis to ensure that it continues to
reflect the total market accurately.

Strong Market.....

The market in the stamps of Great Britain has been particularly strong in the
last 12 months, with demand exceeding supply for classic material in top quality
condition. Prices for scarce Commonwealth material have not risen so quickly,
but look set for a significant increase in the coming months as market activity
has been the highest experienced by Stanley Gibbons in recent times. Auctions
held during October in London and New York included a number of rare
Commonwealth items which achieved realisations substantially in excess of
current Stanley Gibbons catalogue values, and this will be reflected in the
Index next year as buying activity is sustained .

Alternative Investment.....

At a time when interest rates and inflation are low and many investors have lost
confidence with traditional stock market based investments, there has been a
surge of interest in stamps as an alternative investment. Attention has been
fuelled by the long term stability of the market, the solid collector base -
estimated to number some 30 million worldwide - and the fact that stamps offer a
portability superior to other potential alternative investments. Rising stamp
prices and recent coverage in the financial press have resulted in a significant
increase in enquiries to the Stanley Gibbons Rare Stamp Portfolio Management
service from both collectors and non collectors alike.

Investment Funds.....

There has also been increasing interest from institutions keen to tap into the
alternative investment market by establishing collectables funds, both on and
offshore. Some funds, already set up for other alternative investments, are
looking to add stamps to the range of assets being offered.

Mike Hall, Chief Executive, comments:

'It is an exciting time for the stamp industry. The growing demand continues to
outweigh a diminishing supply and this activity is reflected in significant
price increases for classic GB and Commonwealth items in top condition. The
development of rare stamps as a serious alternative to stock market based
investments is now being appreciated by an increasing number of private
investors and institutions'.


For further information, please contact:
Paul Fraser-Chairman                  Telephone: 020 7836 8444
Michael Hall-Chief Executive          Telephone: 01425 472363
Richard Purkis-PR                     Telephone: 020 7557 4428



                      This information is provided by RNS
            The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

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