Now stamp seller says it is for sale

SHARES in the world’s oldest stamp business Stanley Gibbons bounced back yesterday after it emerged that private equity group Disruptive Capital was still interested in buying the firm.

Stanley Gibbons’ stock jumped 18pc on Friday to 13.12p after Disruptive made an unsolicited approach for the 161-year-old company.

Shares then fell 18pc to 10.75p on Monday when Disruptive said it was, in fact, not making an offer. But in another twist yesterday, Stanley Gibbons and Disruptive revealed that talks were ongoing and could still result in a bid.

Shares rose 11.6pc, or 1.25p, to 12p – valuing Stanley Gibbons at £21m.

Stanley Gibbons is known for stamps but it also deals in coins, antiques and fine wine. It has suffered a turbulent few years, with its shares tumbling from a 2014 high of 287p.

Disruptive is run by Edi Truell, a 54-year- old former advisor to Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, who founded private equity firm Duke Street, which owns restaurant chain Wagamama.