STAMP and collectibles specialist Stanley Gibbons, which has bases in London and Ringwood, has put itself up for sale.

The move comes days after the company claimed it had received a takeover approach from private equity firm Disruptive Capital.

It said it had begun a strategic review aimed at unlocking “long term value”, which could include a sale of some or all of the group.

Shares in Stanley Gibbons rocketed on Friday after the company said it had received a takeover approach from Disruptive.

But Disruptive said yesterday that it was “not making an offer” for the firm, despite talks with Stanley Gibbons management.

Stanley Gibbons is incorporated in Jersey but has offices in London and in Parkside, Ringwood. Its last accounts, for the year ending March 21 2016, showed a pre-tax loss of £28.9million.

The company said it expected to invite further interest during the summer.

The firm said in a statement: “Following a complete overhaul of the board and the executive leadership last year, the company has now been comprehensively restructured.

“During this time the new board has successfully reduced annualised operating costs by over £10million and announced disposals totalling £6.3m.

“Against this backdrop, the board had resolved to conduct a full strategic review to investigate the options open to them which, for the avoidance of doubt, could include a sale of some or all of the group.”

Stanley Gibbons is working with finnCap on the review.

The company’s statement went on: “The directors believe that Stanley Gibbons with its heritage brands and expertise has significant strategic value not only in its existing core markets but also across the broader global collectibles market, particularly the Middle East and Asia.

“Unlocking this incremental long term value is likely to require further investment and the directors believe that it is likely therefore that such value is best delivered either within a larger group or alongside a strategic investment.”

Disruptive said in a statement that it was “not making an offer”, adding: “On May 31 2017, Disruptive were informed by Stanley Gibbons Group plc that an email we had sent them was interpreted by them as an approach under the Takeover Code and that they had informed the takeover panel of the same.”