Caroline writes:

The Stanley Gibbons Group Acquires Noble Investments

British rare stamp and collectibles merchant, The Stanley Gibbons Group plc, has successfully completed its acquisition of Noble Investments (UK) PLC today; putting it in the top 100 of London's AIM listed companies with a market value in excess of £130m.

The acquisition brings together four heritage brands which, when combined, sees the group become a leading global collectibles auction brand, dwarfed only by Sotheby's and Christie's by virtue of their handling of fine art sales.

Noble Investments, comprising: Baldwin's- the globally respected brand in coins, established in 1872; Dreweatts- an auctioneer of antiques and collectibles such as watches, fine wine and jewellery, established in 1759 and Bloomsbury- a leading UK auctioneer of books, manuscripts and art, join The Stanley Gibbons Group plc- itself established in 1856 and holders of the Royal Warrant as philatelists since 1914.

With over 250 staff and offices in the UK, Hong Kong, Singapore, US and the Channel Islands, the company aims to deliver a truly global service by bringing the world's collecting community into one place.

"Our online development plans to create a global online hub for buying and selling collectibles will be enhanced by the wider range in which we now have authority and expertise." said Mike Hall, CEO of the Stanley Gibbons Group.

"This acquisition means that sellers can expect to achieve the best realisation possible by virtue of our international reach, the size of our combined databases and superior specialist expertise; whilst buyers can be assured by the Stanley Gibbons guarantee of authenticity and standards of service."