Handbook of Alternative Assets

'Making Money from Art, Rare Books, Coins and Banknotes, Forestry, Gold and Precious Metals, Stamps, Wine and other Alternative Assets.'

There has been increasing focus in the investment world in recent years on finding alternatives to the stock market. For many this has involved looking at property, at hedge funds and at private equity. The events of the past few years have highlighted the shortcomings of these different options. The true alternative investments, in our view, are those that are tangible and perhaps even portable. They can serve as a store of value in troubled times when stock markets are volatile, bond markets subject to inflation and fiat currencies depreciating in value. The aim of this book is to show investors and their advisors how they can use tangible assets like this as a means of diversifying a portfolio. Many investors may already own, or have inherited, investments like this: a stamp or coin collection, or a set of first editions. Or they may pursue collecting stamps, coins, books or art as a hobby.