Thursday, December 9, 2010

Mowbray Stamp and Coin Collectables reports expects record profit

Otaki New Zealand -based Mowbray Collectables Ltd says the high NZ dollar is helping its business as overseas buyers perceive value in their purchases.



The stamp and coin dealer is forecasting a record annual result after today reporting a net profit of $296,881 in the six months to September 30, up from $41,632 in the same period last year.

Sales rose 15 percent in the New Zealand core business of stamp and coin auctions, while costs were as expected.

"Our international export sales remain significant following our success at the London Stamp Exhibition in May 2010. The high NZ dollar continues to assist our exports as overseas buyers perceive stronger value in their purchases," the company said.

Trading revenue was $1.58 million, down 5 percent in last year, while other revenue was $118,000, up from $31,00 last year.

The company said its 49 percent owned Peter Webb Galleries traded on a par with last year including a most successful motorbike sale attended by 500 people, and two oceanic tribal art sales attracting international attention. Art and wine sales are exceeding budgeted forecasts.

The business was started in 1965 by John Mowbray while he was still at school, according to the company's website. He remains chief executive officer.

Source: http://www.nbr.co.nz/article/mowbray-collectables-reports-expects-record-profit-133964

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

MaltaPost celebrates 150th anniversary of 1st Malta stamp

The Philatelic Bureau of Malta Post said it will be issuing a philatelic commemorative miniature sheet titled the ‘150th ANNIVERSARY FIRST MALTA STAMP 1ST DECEMBER 1860′ to celebrate the 150th Anniversary of the first Malta Stamp.


The miniature sheet includes one stamp with denomination of €2.80. The miniature sheet will feature the Queen Victoria Halfpenny which was first issued for local use on 1 December 1860 and an image of an addressed envelope with the Malta Halfpenny Yellow tied by an ‘M’ cancellation mark – the earliest recorded use of the stamp.

An amount of 20,000 miniature sheets with a face value of €2.80 will be issued. The miniature sheet was designed by Joseph Said. The size of the stamp is 44.0mm x 31.0mm with a perforation of 13.9 x 14.0 (comb), while the miniature sheet measures 130mm x 85mm. All stamps have been offset printed on Maltese Crosses watermarked paper by Printex Limited and are available in miniature sheets.

Together with the miniature sheet MaltaPost will issue the fourth in its series of Commemorative Folders. This limited edition of numbered Commemorative Folders will include the miniature sheets.

The miniature sheet and the Commemorative Folder will be available as from Wednesday 1st December from all MaltaPost branches in Malta and Gozo and from the MaltaPost Mobile Van.

For more information about this set and pre-orders of this issue can be done through the Philatelic Bureau (tel. no: 2596 1740, email: philately@maltapost.com, postal address: 305, Triq Hal-Qormi, Marsa MTP 1001) and from MaltaPost website on www.maltapost.com.