Stanley Gibbons, the Jersey-based rare stamp and collectibles dealer, is opening an office in Hong Kong in September. 

"This is a major step in our strategic growth as we seek to develop profitable markets and channels for the benefit of collectors and investors worldwide," said Keith Huddle, the director of sales and marketing for Stanley Gibbons, in a statement.

Already, significant orders have already been secured from China for Penny Blacks, the world's first and most famous postage stamp, said the firm. 

According to the Mei-Moses World Art Index, stamp collecting is a well-established activity in China, where there reportedly are 50 million collectors, against 30 million from the rest of the world. The latest figures from the China Rarities Index also show that Chinese stamps have experienced an average annual growth of 44 per cent from November 2006 to April 2011.

The announcement follows the launch of a China Rarities Index in June and further strengthens the company's drive to capture a wider share of Asia's growing collectibles market. The group has been preparing to open in Hong Kong since 2010. The growing pool of wealth in the region is driving is driving demand for precious collectibles as trophies or passion investments. According to Merrill Lynch and Capgemini's most recent World Wealth Report, demand for luxury collectables and passion investments last year was driven by high net worth individuals was driven by the emerging markets, particularly Asia. 

For example, Mercedes-Benz sales in China and Hong Kong jumped by 112 per cent and Ferrari named Greater China as one of its top five international markets.