tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6190925726844102948.post3077918618911863457..comments2024-03-07T08:56:02.343-08:00Comments on Big Blue 1840-1940: Maldive IslandsJimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02024632082262694589noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6190925726844102948.post-22110220171129613932013-10-17T19:59:17.942-07:002013-10-17T19:59:17.942-07:00That's true of many countries, the so-called s...That's true of many countries, the so-called sand dunes states in the Gulf, many African countries, and some in South America and Asia. Even the U.S., after all, has issued many series of fairly silly cartoon stamps, TV character stamps, the famous Elvis stamps, and many others. At least these are American subjects, however. <br /><br />The non-native subjects of these other countries quickly grow tiresome for those who have an interest in learning about the culture, history, and sights of a place but get Mickey Mouse and foreign artworks and Olympic Games and endless series of "world leaders" and other stamps designed to pick our pockets. <br /><br />But in defense, I suppose these countries are not wealthy and stamps are a revenue source and no one is forcing us to buy them. Most unfortunately, however, their stamp history is tossed away by doing this since their stamps are really not about themselves or their history, etc. but more like stickers to be sold for some quick cash. Very sad that any stamp issuing country would cheapen its stamp history this way. <br /><br />As far as collecting them, it's not necessary to stick only to pre-1940 stamps even for countries like these. Buying only stamps that are about a nation's history, people, culture, and so on from the modern era is a good way to collect, omitting all the silly Disney and other stamps. Being selective can be done with many countries over the last 50-60 years or so instead of always trying for an unnecessarily complete collection. That way we can collect those countries' stamps but only the ones we like. This may require designing our own album pages, of course, using blank pages but that should be half the fun. So, for me, I'm not adopting any rigid cut-off date with many countries, but only collecting stamps representative of them historically, culturally, and so forth. Takes a little more effort, of course. DrewMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08082601555760640397noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6190925726844102948.post-6539253614366691662013-10-14T04:36:55.530-07:002013-10-14T04:36:55.530-07:00Bud- I agree.
I was surprised and disappointed to...Bud- I agree.<br /><br />I was surprised and disappointed to see this little island country with its "palm trees and blue lagoons" to have page after page of non relevant topicals in the recent Scott catalogue.Jimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02024632082262694589noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6190925726844102948.post-3128132894040196672013-10-13T19:30:03.942-07:002013-10-13T19:30:03.942-07:00Classical era Maldive stamps illustrate why I coll...Classical era Maldive stamps illustrate why I collect mainly pre-1940 stamps. Yes, they’re one design, so far as BB is concerned, but they do represent something of significance for the Maldives –a striking minaret of an ancient mosque. As you say, the classical era is “clean.” Relying on modern Maldive stamps for information about these islands, one might conclude that their museums loaded with Raphaels and Titians and Picassos, that space exploration and butterflies are their national priorities, and that they are ruled by Disney characters.Budhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18202098671443782842noreply@blogger.com