Canada Post's Latest Hostage (Chinatown)

They've done it again! (just got my Details 2013 #2)
Collectors who wish to have a complete collection must now fork over $88.88 for a limited edition set which includes a numbered imperforate souvenir sheet (as well as two coins and other stuff.)
The last time they did this was with the Vancouver Olympics issue.
Three overprinted souvenir sheets were sold exclusively in three separate expensive coin/stamp sets (3 x $50). Then, a month later, they issued the three s/s in a separate pack at a fraction of the cost (face value!). Infuriated, I sent back the three limited edition sets and was reimbursed.
Maybe they'll do that again this time, but I've had to order the set just in case they don't. (Better hurry - only 8,887 available!)

We've already got the annual Chinese New Year stamps, now stamps for
Chinatown, this is getting ridiculous.

What's next? A pane of 20 showing the life and times of chairman Mao?

Or the world-famous Chinese kitty, Meow-Tse-Tung, sometimes mis-transliterated into English as Mousie Tongue.

I have a question...in my Details it says "A 200 year old Qing Dynasty coin and a 1000 year old Song Dynasty coin - much like the ancient coins embedded in many of these gates". Do you read this as genuine coins or replica coins?

I read it as genuine - hence the "certificate of authenticity". (Doesn't make them rare.)
Are any of you tempted to buy this set to get the imperforate s/s?

I was thinking of buying it. I would give the coins to my mom since she collects coins and I would keep the stamps which is why I was wondering if the coins were real.

Even worse. Did you notice that the souvenir sheet from the uncut press sheet is different. It has a background with spirals.

I can't say, sylvain.m, that I see any difference.
To lithograving's point, I bet these Chinese themes have great (financial) appeal on the west coast.
And canadianphilatelist, I would not give the coins to your mother until you were sure that Canada Post was not going to sell the imperforate separately. You might have to repackage and return the set (and save $83.84.)

Sorry Sak the image showed in the magazine seems to show wrongly spirals. Its is clearer on the web. No spirals in the whole.

Reading the comments posted has reinforced my decision to stop collecting new issues with the last issue of 2012. The stamps that CP decides to issue are just crazy (there must be a better word). The lunar new year series was tolerated once but why a second time. Every possible configuration for the CFL was issued. My VISA statement looks naked without all my CP charges, I must be saving $200 or more each month. Money better spent on earlier issues. At one time stamps issued had some historical value, that requirement has disappeared. How can we get new young collectors interested in the hobby considering the costs. CP has turned me off.....there must be others out there. Kind of sad.

Reading the comments posted has reinforced my decision to stop collecting new issues with the last issue of 2012. The stamps that CP decides to issue are just crazy (there must be a better word). The lunar new year series was tolerated once but why a second time. Every possible configuration for the CFL was issued. My VISA statement looks naked without all my CP charges, I must be saving $200 or more each month. Money better spent on earlier issues. At one time stamps issued had some historical value, that requirement has disappeared. How can we get new young collectors interested in the hobby considering the costs. CP has turned me off.....there must be others out there. Kind of sad.

Reading the comments posted has reinforced my decision to stop collecting new issues with the last issue of 2012. The stamps that CP decides to issue are just crazy (there must be a better word). The lunar new year series was tolerated once but why a second time. Every possible configuration for the CFL was issued. My VISA statement looks naked without all my CP charges, I must be saving $200 or more each month. Money better spent on earlier issues. At one time stamps issued had some historical value, that requirement has disappeared. How can we get new young collectors interested in the hobby considering the costs. CP has turned me off.....there must be others out there. Kind of sad.

I agree with you. I'll switch to the quarterly packs soon as you get every stamp & souvenir sheet. There is no need to buy all the booklets.
At roughly $130 year it's an okay hobby to afford.

I don't disagree with switching to the quarterly paks either. I'll be giving it serious thought through 2013 and decide if this is my last year to splurge on future printings. Seems to make sense to fill up the gaping holes from previous years.

I have only been collecting a few years, but I (for the most part) only buy the quarter packs to keep up with the new issues. The vast majority of my classics and Elizabethan era stamps are singles anyway. When I started collecting I was thrilled that quarter packs offered die-cut singles of most new issues, it was an easy way to keep my singles collection moving forward. I do collect the souvenir sheets, but they are in another binder so they don't disrupt the rows upon rows of single stamps.

I've just cancelled my order of two of these $88.88-priced sets. It's way too expensive, esp. considering the face value is just above $10. I also decided to cancel my standing order. It's getting more & more expensive. I'll only buy the quaterly packs from now on. Good bye, CP!