The Ten O'Clock Show Ltd
The Ten O'Clock Show Ltd is a UK company that buys and sells postage stamps and other collectibles, such as postcards, first day covers, coins, banknotes, cigarette cards, medals, vintage toys, etc.
The company was formed in 2005 from a farmhouse in Pailton, Warwickshire. The Ten O'Clock Show Ltd began as a company trading solely on ebay. 'The Ten O'Clock Show' refers to the fact that all of the company's ebay auctions were timed to end at one minute intervals from 10pm GMT each evening. The company was effectively allotting itself a time-slot each evening, encouraging ebay buyers to 'tune-in' at 10pm and bid on large collections. The company continues to use this unusual 'time-slot' method.
In 2006 the company had outgrown the farm and moved to Elms Farm Industrial Estate in South Leicestershire, from where it continues to operate. The company claims, on its website, to be one of the world's fastest growing philatelic companies. It also claims to sell more large accumulations of stamps than any other online trader. A further claim on their website states that they spend over £60,000 a month buying stamps and collectibles. The company offers free valuations of stamps and collectibles throughout the UK, although not overseas.
In January 2007, The Ten O'Clock Show Ltd launched 'endgame', a prize competition/puzzlehunt/treasure hunt with similarities to 'Masquerade' by Kit Williams (although with a considerably smaller prize of £1000 as well as a rare £1 seahorse stamp). The prize has still to be won.
In July 2007 the company launched a classified ads section on its website, for free general public use.