Talk:Territories of the United States on stamps

Welcome
Welcome to Territories of the United States on stamps, a topical philately article informed by the diplomatic history of the United States. Any suggestions for improvement are welcome. The best of Wikipedia is collaborative. TheVirginiaHistorian (talk) 15:57, 23 March 2014 (UTC)

Territory flag rationale
The two territories 'Flags of our Nation' series are fair use since 1978 for Northern Marianas and American Samoa. The three other modern territories are represented with other free use stamps in the article, Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands in the 1937 territories issue, and Guam in the local, guard mail stamps. Thus all five modern insular territories are represented here. TheVirginiaHistorian (talk) 15:03, 24 March 2014 (UTC)

As it explains at WP:NFC, "Stamps and currency: For identification of the stamp or currency, not the subjects depicted on it." The images of the deleted flags identified the stamp showing a United States territory flag, not for the purpose of the subject depicted on it. The specific design is not central to the identification of the stamp acknowledging the territories are a part of the nation, the image of the stamp is an illustration of including the territories of U.S. citizens in the nation. TheVirginiaHistorian (talk) 16:14, 26 March 2014 (UTC)
 * Lets not have this discussion in two places, see Talk:Puerto_Rico_on_stamps. That particular phrase is for the article about the stamp, not the general subject matter like this article. Werieth (talk) 16:36, 26 March 2014 (UTC)
 * You must read the regulations as a whole. There is no intent to have Wikipedia obsolete at 1978 for USPS postage stamps. That is why there is a fair use template for postage stamps after 1978. TheVirginiaHistorian (talk) 20:04, 26 March 2014 (UTC)
 * I know our policy on non-free media very well. I am saying nothing about obsolete, what I am saying is that usage of non-free media must have a strong justification for usage. In the two articles that I have been working with you about the articles are no where near meeting the requirements to justify the inclusion of those files. For the most part the files are just referenced in the article and not tied to anything significant. Werieth (talk) 20:14, 26 March 2014 (UTC)
 * The point of the article is found in the title. Puerto Rico or U.S. territories on stamps. United States stamps. The image is to identify the stamp, not the image on the stamp. How is that not strong justification. If there are such stamps, then they should be referred to in the text and illustrated with an image.


 * I may need an example to understand your perspective. Could you refer me to a successful example on Wikipedia by your interpretation? TheVirginiaHistorian (talk) 04:03, 27 March 2014 (UTC)

Vermont and Texas
Both Vermont and Texas have two stamps for their respective independence and statehood.

Vermont is featured both in "eastern settlement" commemorating its independence, and in "eastern states from territories", since its colonial territory was claimed by both New York and New Hampshire. It was the 14th state admitted into the Union, and because it was also in a sense independent of any state, it is the first among "eastern states from territories, with narrative explaining its unique history, not included in "states from states".

Texas is treated in "Manifest Destiny", with both its independence from Mexico and its statehood, and again in "western states" for statehood. TheVirginiaHistorian (talk) 11:10, 13 April 2014 (UTC)

Alaska Purchase
Here's an image I just uploaded and added to the article. Hope it's placed well. -- Gwillhickers (talk) 18:17, 13 April 2014 (UTC)
 * Airmail!! Thanks. TheVirginiaHistorian (talk) 19:56, 13 April 2014 (UTC)

Image upgrade
Just upgrade Alaska Yukon Pacific image. -- Gwillhickers (talk) 18:34, 13 April 2014 (UTC)

Alaska and Texas
Alaska statehood airmail of 1959 is featured in the "Statehood" section, subsection "States from western territories". It is a duplicate when it is added to the "Manifest Destiny" section, so should be removed, leaving the stamp pictured in the "States from western territories".

Texas is unique in having its statehood stamp featured in both "States from western territories" and "Manifest Destiny" because its precipitous statehood from independence caused the Mexican government to move armed forces to protect its territorial claims, then President Polk initiated the Mexican-American War which resulted in the Mexican Session of what is now the southwest United States.

The Texas Independence stamp might be moved from "Manifest Destiny" into "western settlement" so as to parallel the Vermont Independence stamp now featured in the "easter settlement" section, leaving the Texas statehood stamp the only duplicate on the article page.

But the settlement of Texas by Americans was its own kind of Manifest Destiny which was compatible with the Mexican federal constitution of 1836, but not of the centralized government arising under the dictator General Santa Ana. That's why both Texas Independence and Texas statehood stamps are in Manifest Destiny. TheVirginiaHistorian (talk) 19:29, 14 April 2014 (UTC)

Assessment
Per your request at WikiProject United States/Assessment/Requests, I have assessed the article at B class. While I don't have access to many of the sources listed, I trust that you have used them properly to verify the information found in the article. The article is very well sourced and written with only a few minor changes required (additional references to a handful of unsourced history related statements) this article could become GA class. Winner 42 Talk to me!  15:35, 8 May 2015 (UTC)
 * Thanks! TheVirginiaHistorian (talk) 18:09, 8 May 2015 (UTC)