Oldest postage stamp company buys world’s most expensive stamp for $8.3 million

The world’s oldest philatelic company, Stanley Gibbons, has acquired a British Guiana stamp issued in 1856 for $8.3 million.

The company said in a statement that “this stamp is the most famous and the most expensive in the world,” noting that “it will be displayed in the flagship store of Stanley Gibbons in London.”

Today we were the successful bidder of #BritishGuiana 1c Magenta & it was purchased at #auction total of $8.3m
As well as making it available for viewing @ at 399 Strand, its our intention to make it available for all to own a piece
Visit https://t.co/av07ZkHVNT for more. pic.twitter.com/r8AnvH7SSB

— Stanley Gibbons (@StanleyGibbons) June 8, 2021

The company also intends to make this character accessible to all by creating a digital collection.

Stanley Gibbons received an interest-free loan from the company’s majority shareholder, Phoenix S.G., to finance the purchase of the stamp.

“This purchase is a new and decisive step in the revival of the world’s oldest stamp dealer,” said company chairman Harry Wilson.

Shares of Stanley Gibbons rose 3.4% Tuesday.

Source: “Interfax”