Rules To Classify Topical Subjects

Hey all,
I have a slight problem when trying to sort out my topical lists. I have not found any set rules on how to make sure that a stamp is placed in the proper lists according to the subject matter displayed or not displayed.
Let me show you:
1: Olympic stamp Guyana, SN:2390A, issued 1991, date on stamp 1900, showing fencing winner. Only mini sheet would show reference to 1992 Olympics. Place in 1900 list only? or cross ref to 1992?
2: Ecuador SN: 754A, issued 1966, showing dates for other olympic years, but also has ancient game images. Place in ancient (pre modern) games list? Any stamp showing pre modern game symbols, structures, events, place in that list also?
Is there a set of rules for topical stamp placements that would help here? or do we need to come up with a set?
Thanks

A stamp can be pertinent to any number of Thematics.
Therein lies your problem.

You may have to decide which thematic you intend to specialise in,
then focus on that particular discipline.

Or... be very loose on which area you place each stamp stamp.

Indeed, and this is often even intentional on the part of stamp issuers. Many modern issues amount to "topic trolling", with the designer hitting as many topics as they can in an attempt to get more collectors to buy them.

So, trying to query the masses.... I'm attempting to correct some lists that are available for other collectors, and was hoping to correct once, and have everyone happy with how the stamps are slotted.

Collectors: would you want to identify the year of issue (say it's an Olympic year, or close enough, or meant for the current Olympic year) even if the stamp only shows past year(s) winner(s)(and nowhere on the stamp is there an indication of the current year)?

Would you want the stamp slotted for every type of image shown?
Also, say the stamp shows a year/place of Olympics, but the name/person shown on the stamp could not have won on that date (due to age or death). Would the stamp be also slotted in the year the person won?

Sorry, should have mentioned it's not for my topic collections, but a correction to lists that other collectors will be using to help complete theirs.

Forgive me, but I am not sure really what you are after.
Thematics is an inexact discipline, it is entirely up to the author how the material is exhibited, what material is exhibited.

What is judged is the content, rarity, pertinence and story.
There are rules with the above focus.

You show a stamp, offer the catalogue number year etc, and how the stamp
is relevant to your thematic.

Part thematic on "Male Nudes in Art " by Anne-Mette Heindorff. Denmark

Miasma Thematic (Study of Malaria themed stamps)

Example : Commentary on differing views on collections.
Source " "The Miasma Philatelist" Sept-Nov. 1979

So it all depends on how the collector views their theme, and how exact they want it to be. Will keep that in mine when I keep on correcting the lists. I guess it's my own fault for wanting to make these lists as perfect as possible, since there is no way to make everything perfect!! Pulling my hair out every time I check the list I thought I had finished, just to note that on closer look, that stamp had more info that made it fit in another list (takes time to locate and verify over 8000 stamps just in this one theme, and I have yet to find one source online or catalogs, that show every stamp in enough detail to verify it). Thanks for the info...

Yes, it's a minefield out there.

Philately: The biggest jigsaw in the World.

To see a Thematic at the pinnacle of a collectors discipline,
view the "Volkswagen" Thematic...here.......

http://www.japhila.cz/hof/0155/index0155a.htm

This forum's attempt at a Volkswagen Thematic.

https://goscf.com/t/20104

Hi lpn9

I agree with Rodney. One stamp may fit one to many categories. Have you looked at the American Topical Association?
http://www.americantopicalassn.org/

You may find an answer there.

Jerry B