With an illustrious history of 170 years, Stanley Gibbons Baldwin’s has always evolved with the times, keeping up with the latest trends in collecting, trading and auctioning exquisite and exceptional items. In the first of my new quarterly updates, I’d like to share my reflections on the year so far - and what lies ahead.
In 2026, our key focus is strategic growth - expanding both our customer base and our category offering, while maintaining the high quality of our items and continuing to build the trust that is at the very core of our business.
We are investing in market research to get a better and deeper understanding of our clients' needs while continuing to improve our operational efficiency. Keeping our customers happy is of paramount importance to the long-term success of the business. We plan to increase our focus on customer satisfaction across every aspect of the organisation, ensuring that we not only meet expectations but consistently exceed them.
As Victoria, our former Co-CEO, steps back from the business, we are focused on ensuring continuity while refining how we work as a senior team. Victoria’s role in building the business has been fundamental, providing a strong foundation as we build for the future.
A priority this year is international expansion, with Singapore representing a key strategic market. Parallel to this, we are reshaping our digital presence to consolidate and improve our websites. We are enhancing the overall customer experience to ensure our online offering reflects our ambition as a market leader within the collectables industry.
Progress in Q1 2026
Q1 has been a very strong start to the year across several fronts, in both our traditional and contemporary categories. I am exceptionally proud of the diversity of our work and how the team has embraced the challenge.
Our Trading Card department has performed remarkably well, demonstrating the continued strength of that market and proving that our trusted name can successfully expand into modern categories. We set a world record for a PSA 10 Base Set Charizard and also sold a Pikachu Illustrator, a 'holy grail' for any auction house.
Across Stamps and Coins, we have seen high-performing auctions backed by strong retail sales. Various international exhibitions, from New York to Dubai, have generated significant sales and consignments.
In Comics, we launched the Northern Collection, a treasure trove of modern-day cultural significance. In our first auction from the collection - which totals over 90,000 comics - notable sales included Amazing Spider-Man #1, Amazing Fantasy #15 (the origin and first appearance of Spider-Man), and Tales of Suspense #39 (the first appearance of Iron Man). It is a fantastic start, and there is plenty more to come.
Heading into Q2 2026
Q2 is shaping up to be a busy and exciting period. Our auctions continue at pace with strong offerings across all categories, and our plans for expansion into Singapore are beginning to take shape.
In May, a major international stamp exhibition takes place in Boston, USA - a highly anticipated event that attracts collectors from around the world. We will have a significant presence, showcasing highlights from our forthcoming auction programme, our extensive specialised stamp stock and our award-winning publications. We will also, for the first time, offer a preview of our forthcoming Digital Catalogue.
Another focus is our brand; we are currently reviewing customer feedback on how our branding could evolve. From the customer’s perspective, we currently 'wear many hats', supported by an online infrastructure that can feel fragmented. Our aim is to consolidate and improve this experience, creating a clearer customer journey and making it easier to buy, sell, and access information.
The Remainder of 2026
Our goal is always to bring exciting collectables to market, whether through our auctions or our retail channels. In pursuit of this, we continue to travel extensively to meet collectors, attend exhibitions, and source rare material.
More broadly, our ambition is to continue growing the business by expanding into new categories where appropriate and extending our geographic reach, all while reinforcing our position as a trusted leader in the markets we serve.
As the year progresses, we will share further details on our Digital Stamp Catalogue. Our catalogues are already considered the industry standard; our ambition is to evolve this offering to enhance its value for existing collectors while attracting an entirely new generation of enthusiasts.
To our Valued Friends, Clients, and Collectors
From everyone at Stanley Gibbons Baldwin’s, thank you for your ongoing support. Our shared passion for collecting is what inspires us to strive forward as a business. We look forward to seeing you at events across the globe, online and in our HQ on the Strand.
Iain Murphy, CEO, Stanley Gibbons Baldwin’s