UK 09:57 Monday, 5 October 2026
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Disclosure: I own shares in one or more of the stocks mentioned. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from ShareProphets). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.
Hello Share Shovers. There are alternatives to the old-fashioned trading of shares when it comes to making a bit of money. Some of these ways become a bit more enticing when the old stock markets are a bit soft, as they are now.
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Comments
turbograndad
Don’t buy contemporary art crap based on celebrity, it has been exposed for what it is, well by investors who buy it, not art buffs whom subscribe to it. Victorian, Pre-Raphaelite, & British Impressionist Art, is vogue now and will like quality, stand the test of time. Good to do a bit of role reversal, advising an advisor.
Malcolm Stacey
Thank you, Turbers. Will certainly bear that in mind.
J P Spaghetti
Perhaps someone will set me straight if I’m wrong about this, but apparently if you’re in the enviable position of being able to invest in a case (or several) of 1990 Chateau Margaux (OK – I admit I used a search engine to find a relatively recent particularly good year!) you’d best brace yourself for the possibility it might have corked as there’s no insurance available against this.
Either that or – if it’s a pure investment to be sold on at some later date – don’t allow a prospective purchaser to taste any (I’d consider hoarding it away like that a little unpalatable, I hasten to add)!
J P Spaghetti
Actually – forget the 1990 vintage, check out how much an offering from 1900 would set you back. Phew!
lostindenmark
Single malt whisky from distilleries that have been closed such as Port Ellen or special edition whiskies that are only produced in limited quantities such as the ones produced for the Feis on Islay. They can appreciate quite quickly and if your investment doesn’t give you the return you were hoping for you can always drown your sorrows in the most pleasant manner.
J P Spaghetti
Funny you should mention that LID – I was knocking back the Bowmore surrounded by le demoiselle d’Avignon (not in the Picasso sense) only last week, and you’ve just set off my taste buds again. Nice in moderation :-)!
C H Ingoldby
I would suggest art that is NOT in vogue. Post war, any Victorian, Pre-Raphaelite art was hugely unfashionable and could be purchased for next to nothing. It is now highly collectable and valuable. If you want to make money in art, the only way is to be brave enough to buy that which is unfashionable.
Malcolm Stacey
Thanks boys. Sadly I cannot tell the difference between posh booze and plonk. This is because of dodgy taste buds. But buying a Turner – that would be something.
Tom Winnifrith
M
To “talk my own book” – or rather that of the Trust that now owns them- (that is a pun) might I sugest Wisdens. The 1916 I bought a few years ago for £500 is now £1500.
A complete set 1863-1951 sold for £250 in 1952 ( advertised in the 1952 Wisden). You could buy 1952-2014 for maybe £5000 today. But a complete set…that would be c £120,000. £250 to £115,000 is not bad.
Of course past performance blah de blah de blah
T
Malcolm Stacey
Hello Ingers. I’m afraid buying unknown art would be a total disaster in my case, as I have no taste whatsoever.. Also, Tom though I wrote match reports for the Daily Mirror in my youth, I don’t understand the rules of cricket and have zilch interest in bashing balls with bats. So now’t to enjoy while the value bumps slowly up.
Jeremy
You could combine rare books & shares by investing in recently listed Scholium Group Plc;founded by Philip Blackwell who is well known in book & publishing industry;its main business is Shapero Rare Books.
J P Spaghetti
“I’m afraid buying unknown art would be a total disaster in my case, as I have no taste whatsoever.”
Jeez – a lack of aesthetic refinement is surely a pre-requisite to a successful career as an art dealer (though I’m sure you were just being modestly self-effacing)!