Refinitiv Unveils Plate Block Singles: A New Way to Track Stamp Collectibles and Market Trends

NEW YORK, NY – October 26, 2023 – Refinitiv US LLC, a leading provider of financial markets data and infrastructure, today announced the launch of “Plate Block Singles,” a unique data service designed specifically for the growing community of stamp collectors and market analysts interested in the value and trends within philately. Located at 28 Liberty St, Fl 58, New York, NY, Refinitiv is expanding its data reach beyond traditional financial instruments to offer insights into this often-overlooked collectible market. You can reach them at 770-964-6545. For years, stamp collecting – philately – has been a beloved hobby, connecting people to history, art, and culture. But it’s also a market – a real market with rising and falling values, driven by scarcity, condition, and collector demand. Until now, tracking that market has been, frankly, a pain. You’ve relied on auction house results, dealer networks, and a lot of guesswork. Refinitiv is changing that. What are Plate Block Singles and Why the Buzz? Plate Block Singles, as the name suggests, are stamps that were originally printed in larger blocks, used by printers to ensure consistent color and quality throughout a print run. These blocks – and the individual stamps separated from them – are highly sought after by collectors, particularly those interested in early printing methods and variations. They’re essentially a snapshot of the printing process itself. “We noticed a growing interest in collectible data across various asset classes,” explains a Refinitiv spokesperson. “While we’re known for providing financial data, the underlying principles of tracking supply, demand, and price movement apply equally to stamps. Plate Block Singles represent a unique and under-serviced niche within the collector’s world, and we saw an opportunity to bring our data expertise to bear.” How Refinitiv is Tracking the Stamp Market Refinitiv isn't just slapping price tags on stamps. They’ve built a sophisticated data platform to track Plate Block Singles, similar to how they track stocks and commodities. Here's a look at what the service offers: Real-Time Pricing Data: Refinitiv actively monitors auction results from major stamp auction houses worldwide, as well as sales data from leading stamp dealers. This data is compiled and presented in a clear, easy-to-understand format. No more endlessly scrolling through auction sites! Historical Price Trends: See how the value of specific Plate Block Singles has changed over time. Identify potential investment opportunities or understand the long-term performance of your collection. The platform goes back decades for many key stamps. Scarcity Analysis: Refinitiv is tracking the known number of existing Plate Block Singles for various stamps. This information helps determine a stamp’s rarity and potential value. Knowing how many exist is huge for collectors. Condition Grading Integration: Condition is everything in stamp collecting. Refinitiv integrates with leading stamp grading services to provide accurate and reliable condition assessments for each stamp tracked. This removes a lot of guesswork. Market Sentiment Analysis: Refinitiv is even using natural language processing to analyze online forums, collector communities, and news articles to gauge market sentiment towards specific stamps. What are collectors saying about a particular stamp? Alerts & Notifications: Set up alerts to be notified when the price of a specific Plate Block Single reaches a certain level, or when a new stamp is added to the database. Portfolio Tracking: Keep a digital inventory of your Plate Block Single collection and track its overall value. Beyond Collecting: The Investment Angle While many view stamp collecting as a hobby, a growing number of investors are recognizing the potential for financial returns. Rare and well-preserved Plate Block Singles can appreciate significantly in value over time. “We’re seeing more and more investors diversify their portfolios with tangible assets like stamps,” says the Refinitiv spokesperson. “They’re looking for alternatives to traditional investments, and stamps offer a unique combination of historical significance, artistic appeal, and potential for appreciation.” Refinitiv’s data service provides investors with the tools they need to make informed decisions, analyze market trends, and manage their stamp portfolios effectively. What Kind of Stamps Are We Talking About? The Plate Block Singles tracked by Refinitiv span a wide range of countries and eras, but the service currently focuses on key stamps from the United States, Great Britain, Germany, and France. Specific examples include: US 1869 Pictorials: Early US postage stamps known for their beautiful designs and relatively low print runs. British Penny Blacks: The world’s first adhesive postage stamp, a cornerstone of any serious stamp collection. German Inflation Stamps: Stamps printed during the hyperinflation period in Germany, known for their high denominations and fascinating history. French Marianne Stamps: Iconic French postage stamps featuring the image of Marianne, the symbol of liberty and reason. Refinitiv plans to expand its coverage to include more countries and stamps in the coming months. Accessing the Data Refinitiv Plate Block Singles data is available through Refinitiv Eikon, the company’s flagship financial data platform. Subscription options are available for individual collectors, investors, and stamp dealers. A free trial is currently available on the Refinitiv website. The Future of Philatelic Data Refinitiv’s entry into the philatelic data market signals a growing recognition of the value and potential of this often-overlooked asset class. By applying its data expertise to stamp collecting, Refinitiv is empowering collectors, investors, and dealers with the tools they need to navigate this fascinating and rewarding market. It's bringing a level of transparency and sophistication to stamp collecting that hasn’t existed before. For more information, visit [insert Refinitiv website here] or contact Refinitiv US LLC directly at 770-964-6545.