StampSmart™ Platinum Canadian Stamp Album (Card Stock) The Smart Choice! Start Price USD 79.99 Current Price USD 79.99 Time Left - Bid Count 0 Buy It Now Price USD 99.99 Reserve Price - Start Time Tuesday, December 02, 2008 End Time Tuesday, December 09, 2008 Location Oakville, ON See more about 'StampSmart™ Platinum Canadian Stamp Album (Card Stock)' Description Introducing the StampSmart™ Platinum Canadian Stamp Album… An Interactive Educational-Program for All Collectors!   The highest quality and most affordably priced professional Stamp-Collecting System to hit the market in 35 years! Check out what all the other Albums and Systems have been missing! Ideal for beginners and experts alike! Includes all the hidden treasures and flexibility you could never find when you were a child! Makes a great Christmas Gift that will last a lifetime!   Introduction   My name is Doug and I am the President of The All Smart® Company. Today I am very pleased to present you with a very new, very innovative, and (above all) a very different approach to Stamp Collecting. I believe this approach is ideally suited for all Stamp Collectors; from beginners to experts. I hope you enjoy learning about this story and this new approach as much as we did while experiencing it.   Background   I developed this product back in 2007 as a result of introducing my seven year old Daughter to Stamp Collecting…one of my favorite hobbies! As a result of a very busy career, I had to step away from Stamp Collecting for many years. But, as a result of my inquisitive Daughter, I recently had the opportunity to reacquaint myself with this wonderful and educational pastime.   Reference: Figure 1 - Album Cover   In introducing my Daughter to Stamp Collecting, the first thing I did was set out to purchase the ideal Stamp Album for her. In attempting to do so, I quickly reacquainted myself with a “challenge” that I had faced some 35 years ago, when I started stamp collecting. Specifically, I wanted to purchase a professional stamp-collecting system/product that would offer her all of the features found in many of the finest quality “hinge” and “hingeless” Stamp Albums.  But (and this is a big but), I wanted the product to include several additional features (and flexibility) that I could never find when I was a child. i.e.: Features that I had always found were lacking or overlooked in all the products on the market these past 35 years; regardless of cost. The following paragraphs are dedicated to explaining these “hidden treasures” that I could never find and why I set out to create them on my own, for my Daughter, so she could enjoy the things I never had during her own life-long and educational journey in Stamp Collecting.   My Daughter and I have been so pleased with our achievements in this regard, I decided to add our “creation” to my Company’s list of Products. We would like to share it with others like you in the hopes that it brings you as much joy and excitement as it did us.   Distinguishing StampSmart™ Product Features…   Feature 1:   The StampSmart™ Interactive Educational-Program and Canadian Stamp Album’s primary theme is to “provide a place for everything and keep everything in its place.”  As all parents know, this is a challenge for our kids (in all areas of their lives) even at the best of times. I think this particular objective is especially important in Stamp Collecting for three reasons: 1.) It builds a sense of accomplishment for our kids, 2.) It builds upon the theme of “Treasure Hunting” whereby our children seek out their lost or missing treasures, and 3.) It keeps the child organized in their hobby thereby eliminating any chance of frustration.   To help with this key objective, the first and perhaps most important feature we added to all our StampSmart™ Products was the World Renowned Scott™ Numbering System. We use this as the primary method for identifying all Stamps of Canada and it allows us to achieve our primary objective with unrivaled quality. As it turns out, the folks at the Scott™ Publishing Company shared our passion for this product and its objectives and were very kind in granting us a very rare license to use their exclusive Scott™ Numbering System. Their support of our efforts to develop our future generations of Stamp Collectors is greatly appreciated.   Feature 2:   The next most important feature of our StampSmart™ products (unlike most of the Stamp Albums on the market today), is that the Scott™ Numbers and their associated Stamp Specifications are proudly presented above all stamps for quick and easy reference and education. i.e.: They are NOT covered up upon placement of a stamp in the Album.   This allows both the junior and advanced collector to refer to these “specifications” over-and-over again in an educational and showcase-like fashion whenever needed. The theme here is education and, The All Smart® Company believes that the Stamp Specifications themselves constitute a fundamental, educational, and beautiful aspect of the hobby that is often overlooked.   Advanced collectors will also appreciate the fact that all stamps are uniquely identified for future auction and estate-planning purposes. Note: A recent survey by The All Smart® Company has found that the vast majority of all Stamp Collectors intend to pass down their Stamp Collections to their heirs. I expect that this will come as no surprise to most Stamp Collectors. Stamp Collectors overwhelmingly feel a strong love and attachment to their collections and a deep desire to pass their legacy down to the next generation in their families.   Feature 3:   The StampSmart™ approach also allows beginner and advanced collectors to lock-step their “checklist” efforts with their favorite Scott™ Catalogue. No more worrying about whether you have a given stamp in your collection or trying to figure out where you have it stored. It’s all laid out for you… quite literally. And, when used in combination with Scott’s™ World Catalogue or the Unitrade™ Specialized Catalogue of Canadian Stamps®, you quite literally walk the path of an advanced collector without knowing it.   Feature 4:   The next important aspect of the StampSmart™ Product line that sets it apart from all the rest is the use of Historical Notes to amplify the educational aspects of the hobby. This is done to add quality and value to the hobby and serves as an excellent teaching guide for our future generations. History Notes are provided for many of Canada’s most endearing stamps and serve as an educational guide to Stamp Collectors of all ages.   Feature 5:   Another important feature of all our StampSmart™ products is that each Album page has been specifically designed to accommodate the use custom plastic page covers/sleeves for long lasting durability and convenience. The All Smart® Company exclusively recommends the Ultra-Pro® Platinum Series Plastic Covers for use with all its products.   All our StampSmart™ products offer the very unique option of collecting stamps in a fashion akin to collecting Trading Cards. This occurs when you choose to collect stamps following Option-11 as outlined in our StampSmart™ Stamp-Collecting Options Flowchart shown in Figure 2, below.   Reference: Figure 2 - StampSmart™ Stamp-Collecting Options Flowchart   This product feature has a very strong appeal for both Beginner and Expert collectors alike. Experts will enjoy the fact that their stamp collection is locked-down in a very tight and rugged album format for optimum protection. Kids will enjoy the approach as well as it lends itself well to trading their treasures amongst friends. The approach also allows our kids to build their very own “Theme Projects” for school. When they have completed their school projects, they can then return all their stamps to their original album location. Perhaps most importantly, kids will eventually grow into adults, and the StampSmart™ System will grow with them as well; all the while having protected their collections with unparalleled ruggedness during the early years. i.e.: When milk and cookies are (more often than not) spilled on their collections rather than consumed.   Feature 6:   Each StampSmart™ product provides the Stamp Collector with a minimum of 11 Different ways to collect Stamps. With all our products combined, this means you have at least 44 Stamp Collecting options to choose from. See Figure 2 (StampSmart™ Stamp-Collecting Options Flowchart) below, for more details in this regard. Note: We use the term “minimum” and “at least” here because, unlike other products on the market, the Stamp Collector can choose to customize and expand his/her Stamp Album well beyond any limitations we may place upon you in our initial product layouts.   Feature 7:   All our StampSmart™ Products are ideally suited for collectors of both “used” and “new” stamps. In fact, both “used” and “new” stamps may be collected in a single product by simply using the reverse side of each Album Page/Card to house both varieties.   Feature 8:   When you use our StampSmart™ Products in combination with Ultra-Pro® Platinum Series Plastic Covers, the need for “interleaving” between Stamp Album pages is eliminated. This rugged collecting format allows you to layout your Album in a two-sided format, thereby allowing you to double your collecting space. It also ensures that you will never again experience the frustration of torn Album pages/bindings.   Product Types:   The StampSmart™ Interactive Educational-Program series will be available in four product formats in the future: A.) The Platinum Edition, B.) The Gold Edition, C.) The Silver Edition, and D.) The Bronze Edition. At present, we are launching ONLY the Platinum Edition on e-bay to validate the needs and desires of all Stamp Collectors. We are hoping that, upon completion of your review of this product, you may share your feedback with us. Please let us know your thoughts by writing to us at StampSmart@sympatico.ca.   The differences between each of our “planned” StampSmart™ products are as follows: The Platinum edition consists of a Symmetrical-Precision Layout (which is esthetically pleasing to the eye), includes Specifications for all Stamps, and includes History Notes for many of Canada’s most endearing stamps. The Gold Edition follows a sequential/numerical layout (as per the Scott™ Numbering System) and likewise, includes Stamp Specifications for all Stamps and History Notes for many of Canada’s most endearing stamps. The key distinction between the Gold and Platinum editions is primarily a reduction in the number of Album Pages and a quicker retrieval process for finding stamps using a sequential/numerical layout. The Silver edition is similar to the Gold edition with the exception that all History Notes are removed. Lastly, our Bronze edition distinguishes itself from all other StampSmart™ editions in that it only includes the Scott™ Numbering System. i.e.: It dispenses with the use of all Stamp Specifications and History Notes entirely.   Album Contents:   All StampSmart™ Canadian Albums cover the years 1851 through to 2004, at present. Each Album contains all “majors” and all perforation-variety, coil, booklet, and souvenir-sheet “minors”. We are actively developing supplements for years 2005 through 2007 at present and we will make these available to you shortly as well.   Sample Pages:   Please see Figures 3 and 4 (below) for sample page-layouts of our Platinum edition StampSmart™ Product.   References:       1.) Figure 3 – StampSmart™ Platinum Edition Sample Page 2.) Figure 4/5 – StampSmart™ Platinum Edition Sample Page (Completed per Option-11 to demonstrate concept*) *Note: Stamps and Stamp Hinges/Mounts not included with this item.   Product Costs:   The StampSmart™ Platinum Edition (Card-Stock Variety) normally sells for US$99.99, excluding stamps, stamp hinges/mounts, binder(s), plastic covers, applicable taxes, import, and shipping/handling fees. However, as a special promotion for e-bay Customers, we will start the bidding at US$79.99 to help you offset your Shipping/Handling fee. E-bay will now tailor/customize individual shipping fees for each of our Customers in Canada and the U.S.A.   This initial listing has been restricted to sale in Canada and the U.S.A. only. International Customers wishing to purchase this item are encouraged to write to us at StampSmart@sympatico.ca and let us know your thoughts. We will try our best to initiate sales for International Customers through e-bay in the future.   Sales Taxes for Canadian Residents: a.) Canadian Residents of all Provinces and Territories with the exception of Ontario, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Newfoundland & Labrador, will be required to pay an additional 5% Tax (i.e.: GST) on top of the list price for this item. b.) Canadian Residents of Ontario are required to pay an additional 13% Tax (i.e.: 5%GST & 8%PST) on top of the list price for this item. c.) Canadian Residents of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Newfoundland & Labrador will be required to pay an additional 15% Tax (HST) on top of the list price for this item.   Sales Taxes and Customs/Duty Charges for American Residents: American Residents are NOT required to pay Canadian Taxes of any kind on this item. Also, to the best of our current understanding, this item is NOT subject to US Sales Tax nor US Customs & Duty charges upon delivery to the U.S.A. However, as these rules are constantly evolving and are complicated by a vast geography, we must respectfully ask that our American Customers cover any minor US Sales Taxes and US Customs & Duty charges that might apply to this item in the future.   Would you prefer the “Bond-Paper Variety” of our Canadian Stamp Album?   The StampSmart™ Platinum Edition (Bond-Paper Variety) is also available at this time. This product normally sells for US$79.99, excluding stamps, stamp hinges/mounts, binder(s), plastic covers, applicable taxes, import, and shipping/handling fees. However, as a special promotion for e-bay Customers, we would be happy to raise an additional e-bay listing just for you and start the bidding at US$59.99 to help you offset your Shipping/Handling fee. If you would like to purchase this alternate product (Bond-Paper Variety), please drop us an e-mail at StampSmart@sympatico.ca and we will raise an additional listing on e-bay just for you!   Payment Options:   For your protection and peace of mind only payments through PayPal will be accepted for this listing. Shipment of Product(s) will commence upon confirmation of Payment through PayPal.   Send us your Feedback:   The All Smart® Company has chosen e-bay as a primary means of Test Marketing this new and innovative product. In doing so, we hope to provide you with the world of convenience you have come to love and trust through e-bay. We would greatly welcome and appreciate all feedback from all Stamp Collectors around the World on this product offering; regardless of whether you choose to purchase this product at this time.   Please contact us at StampSmart@sympatico.ca to: a.) share your feedback, b.) allow us to answer any of your questions, and c.) help you understand your expected final costs for this product prior to placing your order.   To our American Cousins:   We would greatly appreciate receiving feedback from our American Cousins! We would especially like to know if you would be interested in seeing us offer an American “equivalent” of this product for U.S. Stamps sometime in the future. Please let us know your thoughts by dropping us an e-mail at StampSmart@sympatico.ca.   A special Thank You to Teachers and Educators for their feedback:   The All Smart® Company would especially like to receive feedback from all our Teachers on this product offering. We are presently developing customized learning programs for our local schools and would like very much to hear your opinions. We have mini-programs already developed entitled “Maps of Canada”, “Science & Technology in Canada”, and “Insects of Canada”. These programs are designed to get our Children excited about Stamp Collecting. They contain fun trivia questions on Canadian Stamps and several pages from our Platinum Album to get them started. Please let us know if you are interested in these programs for your local Schools or Stamp Clubs by dropping us a line at StampSmart@sympatico.ca.   To all the Parents and Grandparents out there:   If you are thinking of starting your children and grandchildren off on a wonderful and life-long educational journey in Stamp Collecting, remember to think StampSmart™ when making your Album choice. Let us help you get them moving in the right direction from the start!   Would you like to see more pictures before you decide?   Note: The e-bay picture facilities are somewhat limited in terms of size. If you are having trouble viewing the pictures on e-bay and would like to see “larger/clearer” pictures, or, you would simply like to see more pictures, just drop us an e-mail at StampSmart@sympatico.ca outlining what you would like to see (Year, Stamp No.’s, etc.). We will try our darnedest to oblige.   Thanking you in advance for your kind attention, The entire All Smart® Company Team, Oakville, Ontario, Canada.   Acknowledgements:   The All Smart® Company would like to thank Amos Press, dba Scott Publishing Co. for supporting us and our future generations on their stamp collecting and educational goals.   The All Smart® Company would like to thank Ultra-PRO® for their wonderful products and, for allowing us to recommend their fine products to our future generations of Stamp Collectors.   The All Smart® Company would like to thank The Unitrade Press® for their wonderful products and, for allowing us to recommend their fine products to our future generations of Stamp Collectors.   Trademark Acknowledgements:   Scott™ and the Scott™ Numbering System are the Registered Trademarks of Amos Press, Inc., dba Scott Publishing Co., Sidney Ohio 45365. All Rights Reserved.   Ultra-PRO® is the Registered Trademark of Ultra-PRO, Los Angeles, California, 90040. All Rights Reserved.   The Unitrade™ Specialized Catalogue of Canadian Stamps is a registered Trademark of The Unitrade Press®, All Rights Reserved.   StampSmart™ is the Registered Trademark of The All Smart® Company, Oakville, Ontario, Canada. All Rights Reserved. Place a Bid!