therealwesty
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Post by therealwesty on Dec 28, 2013 16:23:37 GMT
At the bottom of the RPSC website listing for the 2013 stamp program there is a new entry for December 11. It shows the following stamps have been re-issued denominated as "63". 63c Queen Elizabeth II (booklet of 10) 63c Canadian Pride (5 designs) (booklet of 10) 63c Woodchucks (vert. coil of 100) 63c Woodchucks (horiz. coil of 5,000) So looking at a total of 8 stamps! RPSC: Canada Post 2013 Stamp Program |
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Admin
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Post by Admin on Jan 4, 2014 23:12:03 GMT
Saw this on Facebook  |
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Post by canadianphilatelist on Jan 6, 2014 1:15:44 GMT
Looks like you were right Westy. The Year of the Horse stamp was issued as a 63c stamp  |
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Post by canadianphilatelist on Jan 6, 2014 17:54:23 GMT
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therealwesty
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Post by therealwesty on Jan 6, 2014 23:44:04 GMT
Wow that's sad. Hard to believe the island issued their own stamps at one point, now they won't even be canceling their own mail.
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therealwesty
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Post by therealwesty on Jan 10, 2014 2:59:13 GMT
I received my first issue of Details for 2014 today. I was surprised by the new (old?) 5x9 format, and the announcement in the opening page that Canada's stamp rag will now be distributed 8 times per year rather than the quarterly issue we've seen for the past few years.
What wasn't quite as surprising is that the three issues announced to open 2014 are being issued in a 63¢ denomination rather than permanent. This is making me a little more afraid that Irishjack (aka Admin) is correct in supposing that the new rates and policies could spell the end of the permanent stamps all together. What's left to be seen is how the 85¢/$1 split rate will be applied. I still hold hope the P will return for the new rates, but it seems more and more likely that we will see an official domestic rate of $1 with the 85¢ fee appearing as a discount for purchasing stamps in booklets or coils.
My biggest concern is how the new domestic rate will apply to Canada Post's quarterly collectors pack. In continuing my collection of singles, I rely on the collectors packs to supply me with the die-cut singles of the self-adhesive stamps which make up the majority of modern stamps issues. The set of 2013 quarterly packs already weighed in at $120.89 and due to the unique strips and booklet panes supplied in this year's packs I think I purchased 3 additional booklets to cut up in order to fulfill my 2013 singles needs. Often the unique panes/strips/other multiples offered in the quarterly packs command a premium value in the catalogue so I try to keep them intact, which does nothing for my singles collection. Here's hoping the collectors pack enjoy the 'bulk' rate of 85¢, and Canada Post doesn't stick it to the collectors with the $1 rate! I am already questioning the price of maintaining my collection of new issues, let alone the people out there who collect everything issued throughout the year.
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firstfrog2013
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What I collect: BNA Liberia St Pierre U.S. Bolivia Turkey
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Post by firstfrog2013 on Jan 10, 2014 15:31:27 GMT
I only in the past two years have begun to catch up my years 2007-date.I want to maintain the completeness but, like you wonder where this is going.I think I differ only with the "p" stamps I find them sadly lacking in design and size is a turn off.unlike you I can't run to local P.O. to check for new issues and hope for great counter finds but, have to rely on online sources.Not sure I too have the means to both maintain a new issue service and still pursue older issues so may be forced to make choice soon.Too bad postal depts. worldwide seem to want to rape collectors by flooding us with overwhelming amounts of new issues and varieties.
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therealwesty
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Post by therealwesty on Jan 10, 2014 21:04:41 GMT
... I think I differ only with the "p" stamps I find them sadly lacking in design and size is a turn off... Frog, I am not sure moving away from the 'P' designation to a fixed denomination will solve your design woes. I am pretty sure Canada Post will continue to employ the same advisory committee and design team. We will continue to see stamps with similar design concepts printed in similar sizes following the stamp programs they release in the preceding autumn seasons. They will just have the fixed denomination rather than the stylized 'P.' And though I do stop into the local P.O. to pick up my quarterly packs, I don't typically find a whole lot of 'counter finds.' My 2013 new issue purchases were pretty much limited to the four packs to get the die-cut singles, the Superman uncut press sheet, and a couple of booklets to use as postage and cut up to supplement the singles missing from the packs. 2013 was pretty typical for my P.O. visits. Though I too continue to keep up with the new issues for the sake of completeness, I find that there are really only one or two issues a year that I can get really excited about. I don't know, though Canada Post's stamp programs usually do follow distinctly Canadian themes, most of them just don't hold a lot of personal interest to me. |
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firstfrog2013
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What I collect: BNA Liberia St Pierre U.S. Bolivia Turkey
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Post by firstfrog2013 on Jan 10, 2014 22:25:46 GMT
Isn't it really sad that stamp designs have sunk to the point that collectors don't even like them.Wonder how much they collect in salary to produce these unsavory stamps??
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therealwesty
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Post by therealwesty on Jan 15, 2014 14:17:10 GMT
I am sure there are a few of you out there, especially my fellow Canadians, who are familiar with Rick Mercer and his rants. For those of you who aren't; Rick hosts a weekly prime time show on CBC where he showcases a Canadian event or destination, pokes fun at some of the current events and top news stories, and takes a few jabs at the politicians. Each show also contains a rant. The rants are usually presented in a light-hearted and comedic monologue, but always seem to carry a topical and sometimes serious moral. Here's Rick's Rant for Tuesday January 14th, 2014 - Home Mail Delivery EndsAnd once again after a few laughs, I have to say; Way to go Rick! |
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Philatarium
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Los Angeles, CA
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What I collect: Primarily focused on Japan, but lots of other material catches my eye as well ...
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Post by Philatarium on Jan 16, 2014 22:57:53 GMT
I finally had a chance to watch this. Thanks for the link, Westy!
I do hope there's some pushback about the possible elimination of home delivery. I don't believe I've experienced an atypical number of more senior people in my life (and I seem to quickly sailing to that designation myself), but I know I lot of people who simply would not be able to get out and get their mail. What a shame this would be.
-- Dave
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tomiseksj
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Woodbridge, Virginia, USA
Posts: 6,385
What I collect: Worldwide stamps/covers, Cinderellas, Ohio Prepaid Sales Tax Receipts, U.S. WWII Ration ephemera
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Post by tomiseksj on Jan 31, 2014 13:23:59 GMT
If one can believe what Canada Post is saying, the transition to community mailbox delivery may not be as ominous as it initially appeared. Here are their recently released guiding principles. The rate increase, however, is a different story... |
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therealwesty
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Post by therealwesty on Jan 31, 2014 21:24:37 GMT
A lot of their principles look good in text, but they are all rather open ended. When it comes down to the actual execution of the community mailboxes it will be interesting to see which camp actually wins out; the almighty dollar, or the principles.
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Post by canadianphilatelist on Mar 5, 2014 3:10:21 GMT
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therealwesty
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Post by therealwesty on Mar 5, 2014 13:19:53 GMT
I wonder how access will be controlled to the two large compartments for parcels. Will everyone who uses a particular community mailbox have a key to the parcel compartments? The would be a pretty serious blow to the security aspect if anyone had any unscrupulous neighbors.
The slot of outgoing mail is convenient, and the CMBs will likely have wider distribution than the red mailbox we have now. It will make the red mailboxes redundant though, so it could well spell the end for them.
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Post by canadianphilatelist on Mar 5, 2014 18:38:33 GMT
The way community mailboxes work right now is that if you get a parcel then they will leave a key in your small slot and then once you retrieve your parcel you put it in the outgoing mail slot so I think it will be the same for these new boxes.
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Post by irishjack on Dec 6, 2014 21:44:54 GMT
Here is a story about the mailboxes www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/community-mailboxes-breached-284959601.html
I have been receiving my mail from one of these boxes for the last 10 years or so. Its not to bad as I pass by while walking the dog. Its also a favorite marking spot for the local dogs. Most of the time the letters are place in safely, but have had items written DO NOT BEND and they were bent so they could fit the box. Every once in a while I will receive mail for someone else, the mail carrier put the letter in the wrong box. In the last year this has happen close to a dozen times. No problems as the house its addressed to is on my walk with the dog and just stop by and deliver it. I often find a letter taped to my door, most likely someone else received my mail.
The mail carriers are just contract workers and not a Canada Post mailperson. I sure the training they receive is of bare bones quality so these mistakes will happen.
The Boxes themselves are not the safest and anyone with a pry bar can pop them open. Or just drill out the locks with a cordless drill. During winter it is not uncommon for snow crews to be out during the night working, people are accustom to loud noises and machinery on the street. A crew of thugs could work in relative comfort without fear of being noticed. Another thing most of these boxes are in unlit areas trying to find your box is a challenge, if they had more lighting might help with security, In this day and age a simple solar panel to power some led lights, or have it hard wired into the grid.
Then don't forget the weather, I have seen my box surrounded by a snow drift 3-5 feet deep, then the snow ploughs come down the street and dumps more hard-pack snow around the box. to get your mail you will need a shovel, I have removed the snow a few times from the box, the city will come by and do it but that might take 72 hours. I have also seen the box covered in freezing rain and all the locks frozen. To get your mail you will need a chisel and hammer and some lock de-icer.
They told the old people that the exercise would be good for them. The other day I went to pick up my mail and as I was walking away a lady pulled up she was in her 80's got out of the car open up the back door and took a walker out unfolded it, I asked her if she needed a hand ( I knew she was getting her mail) No I fine was her answer, are you sure I asked again. With that look only a old lady can give said" I perfectly fine young man" That was my cue to walk away. As I live just across the street so was able to watch her as she fought with the snow and minus 30 winds got her mail and fought back to her car.
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