Stanley Gibbons Group Limited
09 November 2004
Press Release
9 November 2004
Stanley Gibbons Limited
399 Strand, London WC2R 0LX
www.frasersautographs.com
McCartney and Pele top performers in SG100 Autograph Price Index
Figures released today by Fraser's, the autograph and memorabilia division of
Stanley Gibbons, show Sir Paul McCartney and Pele as the top risers in its SG100
Autograph Price Index. The Index, which compares today's retail prices to market
values in 1997, shows that an undedicated signed photograph signed by Sir Paul,
which was worth #125 seven years ago, now retails for #950, an increase of 660%
over the period. Pele gives McCartney a good run for his money with a rise of
650% to #750 for an undedicated photograph signed by the man who many believe to
be the World's greatest ever footballer.
The SG100 Autograph Price Index
As any collector will tell you, the prices currently being paid provide
compelling evidence that the financial future for top quality autographed
material is very good indeed. Fraser's is Europe's largest dealer in autographs
and memorabilia, established over 27 years ago. It has designed the Index to
provide the definite measure of overall market performance and a yardstick
against which to measure individual increases. Fraser's believes that it serves
to highlight the real price increases being achieved, especially amongst the
rarer and more desirable items.
Index Performance
The Index as a whole is up by over 169% over the seven year period, which
equates to an increase of 24% per annum.
The Beatles continue to head the Index, with a signed photograph of the band up
from #12,500 in 2002 to a current #15,000. Rises for Winston Churchill and
Marilyn Monroe, both up from #4950 to #6000, and Charles Dickens, rising from
#2500 to #3500, show the continuing increase in value of signatures for 'the
leaders in their field' who have a worldwide collector base. The same applies to
signed photographs of Elvis Presley which increased in price from #1950 in 2002
to #3250 this year, a massive rise of over 66% and Walt Disney, up from #875 in
2002 to #2750, an even larger increase of 214%. Perhaps the most predictable
rise in price was that of a signature of Lord Nelson, up 25% to #4950. With the
celebrations to commemorate Trafalgar next year, the demand for Nelson
memorabilia looks set to continue.
Alternative Investment
At a time when interest rates and inflation are low and many investors have lost
faith with traditional stock market based investments, the returns available
from autographs and memorabilia look very attractive to those investors looking
to diversify their portfolios. Rising prices and recent coverage in the
financial press have resulted in a significant increase in enquires to the
Company's Investment Portfolio Management service from both collectors and
non-collectors alike.
Authenticity
Purchasers should take great care, particularly when purchasing online without
any specialist knowledge. Fraser's is a member of the UACC (Universal Autograph
Collectors Club) and provides a written Lifetime Guarantee of Authenticity for
every item sold.
Paul Fraser, founder of Fraser's and Chairman of The Stanley Gibbons Group
Limited, comments:
'Autographed items are both collectable and a tangible asset of value and the
scarcity of supply of some of the biggest names, coupled with an expanding
demand from a growing collector base, has forced prices higher. We believe that
the SG100 Autograph Price Index will guide investors, dealers and collectors to
make informed decisions based on factual, up-to-date information and that
purchasers of the quality examples listed in the Index will continue to see an
uplift in values in the years to come.'
For further details contact:
Paul Fraser, Chairman, Chairman - Tel 020 7836 8444
Richard Purkis, Director - Tel 020 7557 4428 Fax 020 7836 7342 Email
rpurkis@stanleygibbons.co.uk
- ends -
Editor's Note: The full SG100 Autograph Price Index is shown below:
The SG100 Autograph Price Index
Fraser's, the autograph and memorabilia division of Stanley Gibbons Limited, has
updated its 'SG100 Autograph Price Index' which compares market prices in 1997
to today's retail values and shows the percentage growth over the period. The
index covers the full range of collecting themes and provides an objective
measure of the current state of the market. All prices quoted are for
outstanding examples in superb condition.
Personality Type 1997 2004 % Growth
Beatles, The sp # 4,950.00 # 15,000.00 203.03%
Beatles, The aps # 2,750.00 # 8,500.00 209.09%
Apollo 11 sp # 1,750.00 # 7,950.00 354.29%
Monroe, Marilyn aps # 2,750.00 # 6,000.00 118.18%
Sex pistols - incl Sid aps # 1,750.00 # 3,950.00 125.71%
Kennedy, John F aps # 1,750.00 # 3,950.00 125.71%
Churchill, Winston sp # 2,500.00 # 6,000.00 140.00%
Hitler, Adolf sp # 3,950.00 # 5,950.00 50.63%
Napoleon aps # 750.00 # 2,950.00 293.33%
Houdini, Harry sp # 1,000.00 # 4,950.00 395.00%
Einstein, Albert aps # 1,700.00 # 3,950.00 132.35%
Nelson aps # 1,500.00 # 4,950.00 230.00%
Lennon, John aps # 675.00 # 3,500.00 418.52%
Princess Diana sp # 1,200.00 # 3,950.00 229.17%
Dickens, Charles aps # 750.00 # 3,500.00 366.67%
Lee, Bruce aps # 1,500.00 # 3,950.00 163.33%
Hitchcock, Alfred sp # 775.00 # 2,950.00 280.65%
Picasso, Pablo sp # 1,250.00 # 2,950.00 145.83%
England 1966 sp # 1,200.00 # 2,500.00 108.33%
Rolling Stones sp # 900.00 # 1,950.00 116.67%
Hendrix, Jimi aps # 975.00 # 2,500.00 156.41%
Who, The sp # 475.00 # 2,500.00 426.32%
Grant, Cary sp # 400.00 # 1,950.00 387.50%
Garland, Judy sp # 1,500.00 # 1,950.00 30.00%
Presley, Elvis sp # 600.00 # 3,250.00 441.67%
Armstrong, Neil sp # 475.00 # 2,500.00 426.32%
Leigh, Vivien sp # 575.00 # 1,750.00 204.35%
Astaire & Rogers sp # 575.00 # 1,500.00 160.87%
Hepburn, Audrey sp # 850.00 # 1,500.00 76.47%
Wilde, Oscar aps # 850.00 # 3,250.00 282.35%
Casablanca aps # 1,400.00 # 2,950.00 110.71%
Lugosi, Bela sp # 400.00 # 1,750.00 337.50%
Wayne, John sp # 1,500.00 # 1,950.00 30.00%
Chaplin, Charlie sp # 1,200.00 # 1,950.00 62.50%
Marley, Bob sp # 850.00 # 1,950.00 129.41%
Queen Elizabeth II sp # 1,200.00 # 1,950.00 62.50%
Harrison, George sp # 175.00 # 1,250.00 614.29%
Dylan, Bob sp # 875.00 # 1,250.00 42.86%
Hepburn, Katharine sp # 325.00 # 1,250.00 284.62%
Kelly, Grace sp # 850.00 # 1,250.00 47.06%
Carpenters, The sp # 275.00 # 1,950.00 609.09%
Kennedy, Jacqueline aps # 475.00 # 1,500.00 215.79%
Sinatra, Frank sp # 775.00 # 1,750.00 125.81%
Star Trek (Original series) sp # 1,250.00 # 1,950.00 56.00%
Fleming, Ian aps # 375.00 # 1,950.00 420.00%
Gagarin, Yuri sp # 375.00 # 1,500.00 300.00%
Callas, Maria sp # 500.00 # 1,500.00 200.00%
Holly, Buddy aps # 375.00 # 1,950.00 420.00%
Brando, Marlon sp # 875.00 # 1,950.00 122.85%
Star Wars sp # 675.00 # 1,500.00 122.22%
Grace, W G sp # 1,200.00 # 2,950.00 145.83%
Morrison, Jim aps # 1,500.00 # 2,500.00 66.67%
Abba sp # 325.00 # 950.00 192.31%
Dr Seuss sp # 175.00 # 950.00 442.86%
Beach Boys sp # 775.00 # 1,500.00 93.55%
Schulz, Charles sp # 775.00 # 1,500.00 93.55%
Dad's Army aps # 250.00 # 1,500.00 500.00%
Marvin Gaye sp # 325.00 # 1,250.00 284.62%
Joplin, Janis aps # 950.00 # 1,500.00 57.89%
Queen Mother aps # 275.00 # 1,250.00 354.55%
McCartney, Paul sp # 125.00 # 950.00 660.00%
Madonna sp # 350.00 # 775.00 121.43%
Woods, Tiger sp # 950.00 # 1,500.00 57.89%
Taylor, Elizabeth sp # 185.00 # 950.00 413.51%
Silvers, Phil sp # 150.00 # 950.00 533.33%
Warhol, Andy sp # 175.00 # 1,250.00 614.29%
Ali, Muhammad sp # 175.00 # 650.00 271.43%
Cagney, James sp # 175.00 # 575.00 228.57%
MASH sp # 675.00 # 1,500.00 122.22%
Disney, Walt sp # 395.00 # 2,750.00 .596.20%
Friends sp # 350.00 # 950.00 171.43%
Laurel & Hardy sp # 400.00 # 1,950.00 387.50%
Mother Teresa sp # 475.00 # 1250.00 163.16%
Eagles sp # 575.00 # 950.00 65.22%
Flynn, Errol aps # 450.00 # 850.00 88.89%
Chagall, Marc sp # 375.00 # 850.00 126.67%
Fleetwood Mac sp # 675.00 # 950.00 40.74%
Phoenix, River sp # 250.00 # 775.00 210.00%
Bolan, Marc aps # 275.00 # 850.00 209.09%
Queen Victoria aps # 325.00 # 750.00 130.77%
Crowe, Russell sp new entry # 1,000.00 0.00%
Shackleton, Ernest aps # 750.00 # 1,000.00 33.33%
Edward & Wallis aps # 750.00 # 975.00 30.00%
Queen sp # 650.00 # 1,500.00 130.77%
Monty Python sp # 225.00 # 1,250.00 455.56%
Caruso, Enrico sp # 500.00 # 1,750.00 250.00%
Clarke, Jim aps # 750.00 # 1,750.00 133.33%
Senna, Ayrton sp # 600.00 # 1,500.00 150.00%
Dali, Salvador sp # 300.00 # 750.00 150.00%
Starr, Ringo sp # 175.00 # 495.00 182.86%
Brunel, I K aps # 275.00 # 950.00 245.45%
Pele sp # 100.00 # 750.00 650.00%
Rowling, J K book new entry # 1,000.00 0.00%
Hanna Barbara sp # 250.00 # 375.00 50.00%
Sherlock Holmes - Rathbone & Bruce aps # 575.00 # 950.00 65.22%
Clapton, Eric sp # 85.00 # 175.00 105.88%
Schumacher, Michael sp # 100.00 # 275.00 175.00%
Minogue, Kylie sp # 75.00 # 150.00 100.00%
Newman, Paul sp # 175.00 # 375.00 114.29%
Williams, Robbie sp # 75.00 # 300.00 300.00%
Increase over 7 years 169.68%
Increase equates to 24% per annum.
Key: sp = Undedicated signed photograph
aps = Undedicated album page signature
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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