161-YEAR-OLD STAMP DEALER IN SHOCK TAKEOVER BID

Stanley Gibbons was born in 1840 – the same year the world’s first stamp, the Penny Black, was issued

When he was 16, Gibbons started selling stamps from his father’s chemist in Plymouth

Gibbons died in 1913, and had been married five times – after being made a widower four times

The business was awarded a Royal Warrant in 1914 thanks to King George V’s passion for stamp collecting

Today it has offices in London, Jersey, Hong Kong and Singapore and is the world’s oldest rare stamp merchant

IN FIRST-class news for investors, shares in stamp dealer Stanley Gibbons soared 18pc yesterday after a surprise approach from the former owner of Wagamama.

Disruptive Capital Finance, led by former Boris Johnson adviser Edi Truell, 54, has made an unsolicited approach for the 161-year-old firm.

Stanley Gibbons said there was no certainty an offer would be made, but the move raises the prospect of the collector being taken private.

Known as the home of stamp collecting, it also deals in coins, antiques and fine wine. Shareholders include Swiss bank Lombard Odier and chief executive Harry Wilson.

But it has had to warn over profits, saw a 96pc collapse in its share price from a high of 378p in 2014 and its auditor resigned last February.

If a takeover goes ahead, it would put the brand in the control of Truell who founded private equity firm Duke Street, which owns Wagamama.

Disruptive Capital has until 5pm on July 7 to make an offer or withdraw.

Stanley Gibbons shares closed up 18pc, or 2p, at 13.12p.