I would put it under BRITISH COMMONWEALTH & COLONIES.
I thought about putting the book in British commonwealth but all the items are newer and after that time period. Mario
The Republic of the Maldives is officially part of Asia, so you could put it there.
The Maldives rejoined the British Commonwealth of Nations in 1982.
Link to official list of Commonwealth Members
Peter
Looks like British Commonwealth is the right place for Maldive Islands. I may also try asia. Thanks to all for the help. Mario
It also gets complicated when countries join the Commonwealth, e.g. Mozambique and Rwanda.
My thinking may be off, but the way I would use only one available category for British Commonwealth items is also to consider the time period that the country was a colony or territory or protectorate. Thus Hong Kong would still be placed under British Commonwealth up through 1997, and under Asia afterwards. Similarly with the Maldives; there was a period when they declined membership in the Commonwealth, then joined in 1982.
The key, to me, is to use the category where collectors of that period would look; I'm more likely to look at British Commonwealth stamps than Asia for Hong Kong items, for example.
Cheers,
Peter
Thanks for that tidbit about the Maldives rejoining the Commonwealth, Peter. I did not know that!
Maldives was one, but I've frequently struggled with others, especially post-1960 Cyprus. "Eastern Europe" or even "Middle East". Now I see British Commonwealth could apply there still as well. Well, without consideration for disputed territories.
I find that colony is the determining measure for me. A country that is no longer a colony, or territory belongs (by my definition) in its own region. Commonwealth should not apply, or you would list Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa under British Related.
Independent states of Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia etc...don't belong under French, but under Africa. I don't think it is a good idea to lump independent states with their former "masters". When a former colonial country becomes independent, it should be dropped from the affiliation with the former colonial empire. Otherwise, why would you limit it to commonwealth? Why not include free trade zone? political Blocks (think former USSR countries) or some other affiliation.
Just my view point, but as it relates to the Maldives, I would never think of looking elsewhere than under Asia.
rrr...
The issue of "enough" specificity in categories will plague all selling sites; there is never enough specificity, and almost impossible (at least impractical) to do so. Therefore we have to use the best available category as sellers and as buyers. Sometimes, that's easy; Macao, for example, is clearly Asia, but maybe it would be wise to search under Portugal too.
However, a challenge would be where you would look for Canada or Australia if they didn't have their own categories. Interestingly, the stamp categories used at eBay, bidStart, and here don't have an adequate "mother" category for these countries (e.g., "Americas" or "Oceania") ... other than British Commonwealth, of course.
Peter
I am creating an approval book for Maldive Islands. Which category would be appropriate for this counrty to be found. Thanks Mario
re: correct category
I would put it under BRITISH COMMONWEALTH & COLONIES.
re: correct category
I thought about putting the book in British commonwealth but all the items are newer and after that time period. Mario
re: correct category
The Republic of the Maldives is officially part of Asia, so you could put it there.
re: correct category
The Maldives rejoined the British Commonwealth of Nations in 1982.
Link to official list of Commonwealth Members
Peter
re: correct category
Looks like British Commonwealth is the right place for Maldive Islands. I may also try asia. Thanks to all for the help. Mario
re: correct category
It also gets complicated when countries join the Commonwealth, e.g. Mozambique and Rwanda.
re: correct category
My thinking may be off, but the way I would use only one available category for British Commonwealth items is also to consider the time period that the country was a colony or territory or protectorate. Thus Hong Kong would still be placed under British Commonwealth up through 1997, and under Asia afterwards. Similarly with the Maldives; there was a period when they declined membership in the Commonwealth, then joined in 1982.
The key, to me, is to use the category where collectors of that period would look; I'm more likely to look at British Commonwealth stamps than Asia for Hong Kong items, for example.
Cheers,
Peter
re: correct category
Thanks for that tidbit about the Maldives rejoining the Commonwealth, Peter. I did not know that!
Maldives was one, but I've frequently struggled with others, especially post-1960 Cyprus. "Eastern Europe" or even "Middle East". Now I see British Commonwealth could apply there still as well. Well, without consideration for disputed territories.
re: correct category
I find that colony is the determining measure for me. A country that is no longer a colony, or territory belongs (by my definition) in its own region. Commonwealth should not apply, or you would list Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa under British Related.
Independent states of Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia etc...don't belong under French, but under Africa. I don't think it is a good idea to lump independent states with their former "masters". When a former colonial country becomes independent, it should be dropped from the affiliation with the former colonial empire. Otherwise, why would you limit it to commonwealth? Why not include free trade zone? political Blocks (think former USSR countries) or some other affiliation.
Just my view point, but as it relates to the Maldives, I would never think of looking elsewhere than under Asia.
rrr...
re: correct category
The issue of "enough" specificity in categories will plague all selling sites; there is never enough specificity, and almost impossible (at least impractical) to do so. Therefore we have to use the best available category as sellers and as buyers. Sometimes, that's easy; Macao, for example, is clearly Asia, but maybe it would be wise to search under Portugal too.
However, a challenge would be where you would look for Canada or Australia if they didn't have their own categories. Interestingly, the stamp categories used at eBay, bidStart, and here don't have an adequate "mother" category for these countries (e.g., "Americas" or "Oceania") ... other than British Commonwealth, of course.
Peter