A. H. Baldwins 0

[Zebo]

Just saw a news article regarding:

Stanley Gibbons looks set to fall into administration as part of a plan to secure the future of the 167-year-old rare stamp dealer.

The firm, which one of the most prominent names in the stamp and coin collecting world, will appoint administrators at PricewaterhouseCooper as soon as today.

It comes just over a year after it was delisted in London and is likely to alarm the 66 staff as well as customers and suppliers so close to Christmas.

But the Mail understands it will be immediately bought back by its owners Phoenix Asset Management in a ‘pre-pack’ administration.

Phoenix, the biggest shareholder, took Stanley Gibbons off the stock market last year. 

Stanley Gibbons, the world’s longest established rare stamp merchant, said it and its coin dealing business, AH Baldwin & Sons, ‘have each filed a notice of intention to appoint an administrator’.

A spokesman for the firm said: ‘We would like to reassure customers and wider stakeholders that we are continuing to operate and are exploring all options to seek a continuation of the business.’

[Tyrock]

Interesting. I've been following Baldwins podcasts, but they haven't had many podcasts lately.

Edited December 24, 2023 by Tyrock

[7.jaguars]

Can't say that I am all too familiar with the British legal system nor what it means for the principle to buy it up. Will Baldwin's survive? I didn't have a good feeling about the Gibbons purchase of it, nor the move out of the Embankment premises. Hopefully they do although they are not the same place as they were 20 and more years ago.

[Zebo]

On 12/24/2023 at 4:10 PM, 7.jaguars said:

Can't say that I am all too familiar with the British legal system nor what it means for the principle to buy it up. Will Baldwin's survive? I didn't have a good feeling about the Gibbons purchase of it, nor the move out of the Embankment premises. Hopefully they do although they are not the same place as they were 20 and more years ago.

All good questions. It is a shame all the way around.

[VKurtB]

On 12/24/2023 at 7:16 AM, Zebo said:

Just saw a news article regarding:

Stanley Gibbons looks set to fall into administration as part of a plan to secure the future of the 167-year-old rare stamp dealer.

The firm, which one of the most prominent names in the stamp and coin collecting world, will appoint administrators at PricewaterhouseCooper as soon as today.

It comes just over a year after it was delisted in London and is likely to alarm the 66 staff as well as customers and suppliers so close to Christmas.

But the Mail understands it will be immediately bought back by its owners Phoenix Asset Management in a ‘pre-pack’ administration.

Phoenix, the biggest shareholder, took Stanley Gibbons off the stock market last year. 

Stanley Gibbons, the world’s longest established rare stamp merchant, said it and its coin dealing business, AH Baldwin & Sons, ‘have each filed a notice of intention to appoint an administrator’.

A spokesman for the firm said: ‘We would like to reassure customers and wider stakeholders that we are continuing to operate and are exploring all options to seek a continuation of the business.’

Ooh, ooh, yet another American private equity firm?? They have a nearly limitless capacity to ruin everything they touch. 

[Zebo]

[RWB]

On 12/24/2023 at 11:15 PM, VKurtB said:

Ooh, ooh, yet another American private equity firm?? They have a nearly limitless capacity to ruin everything they touch. 

But the gut it to the bone and grab all the meat before leaving the remains for scavengers.

[7.jaguars]

While I certainly agree, to me the sad bit is that their possible demise (Baldwins, as I care not whit for Gibbons) marks a real change for numismatics in the British and related series, and the stability they seemed to provide. I felt similarly when Spink jettisoned their printed Spink Numismatic Circular, when decently price coins and a bit of scholarship were combined...

[Zebo]

On 12/28/2023 at 8:26 AM, 7.jaguars said:

While I certainly agree, to me the sad bit is that their possible demise (Baldwins, as I care not whit for Gibbons) marks a real change for numismatics in the British and related series, and the stability they seemed to provide. I felt similarly when Spink jettisoned their printed Spink Numismatic Circular, when decently price coins and a bit of scholarship were combined...

Agree 100%

[VKurtB]

On 12/27/2023 at 4:21 PM, RWB said:

But the gut it to the bone and grab all the meat before leaving the remains for scavengers.

ZACKLY!

[VKurtB]

On 12/27/2023 at 4:06 PM, Zebo said:

Not a bad storefront. Beats most of London’s. 

[Zebo]

Baldwin lives - sort of:

Dear Customers,

As a new year starts so does a new chapter for Baldwin's and Stanley Gibbons as both brands are acquired by Strand Collectibles Group.

Baldwin's, already a global name in numismatics, will now broaden our horizons to encompass all collectibles auctions, including coins, medals, stamps, trading cards, comic books, video games, sports memorabilia and more in the coming years curated by our in house experts including the Baldwin’s Coins & Stanley Gibbons specialists you will know so well. The schedule for the coming months, led by Iain Murphy, Managing Director of Baldwin's Auctions already boasts some exceptional philatelic, numismatic and pop culture auctions, setting a pace we expect to see increase further still throughout the year. 

To support new and existing auction categories we have recently unveiled our brand new platform www.baldwins.co, (note: the new domain is .co not .co.uk or .com) designed and built by our team based on your feedback to bring the joy of collecting to the auction experience. 

Neil Paisley, MD Baldwin's Coins, and the team will continue to buy and sell rare British, ancient and world coins. They will be at the New York International Numismatic Convention next week and the York Stamp & Coin Fair later in the month.

Stanley Gibbons will continue to serve the philatelists of today with the products and services which epitomise our expertise and meticulous attention to detail such as Catalogues and Price Lists. This year we publish the 127th Edition of the Commonwealth & British Empire (1840-1970) catalogue, still receiving contributions from Dr Philip Kinns after over 50 years of distinguished service. 

Victoria Lajer, MD Stanley Gibbons, and her team will also launch a new digital catalogue collecting experience in 2024. Designed to help you throughout your collecting journey, starting with identifying and finding items all the way to keeping track and improving your collections.  Features we're confident will endear the product to a new generation of philatelists.

I am conscious that we bear huge responsibility as the stewards of these storied organisations. Honouring the past while creating a rich and sustainable legacy is our goal here – not least because that is how we may offer the very best care and attention to detail for collectors acquiring, or parting with, treasured possessions.

By harnessing the heritage and the unique expertise from both brands, I’m confident your experience will feel both reassuringly familiar and significantly enhanced.

Tom Pickford

CEO, Strand Collectibles Group

[7.jaguars]

Well I am glad Neil held on to his job and the place is still "kicking". Who are Strand Collectibles? 

And Baldwin's selling pop culture items and stamps at auction? Yikes! That definitely will diffuse the brand. I guess I am a bit pessimistic but will take this at face value for now.