Christmas seals

First Christmas Seal, Denmark, 1904

Christmas seals are a type of charity stamp issued to raise funds and awareness for various health and social causes. These seals are not valid for postage but are often placed on mail during the Christmas season. The tradition of Christmas seals began in Denmark in 1904 and has since spread to many countries around the world.

History

The first Christmas seal was created by Einar Holbøll, a Danish postal clerk, in 1904. Holbøll conceived the idea of adding an extra stamp to holiday mail to raise money for the tuberculosis sanatoriums. The idea was quickly adopted, and the first seals were sold in Denmark in 1904. The success of the Danish Christmas seals inspired other countries to adopt similar programs.

In the United States, the first Christmas seals were issued in 1907 by the American Lung Association, then known as the National Association for the Study and Prevention of Tuberculosis. The funds raised from the sale of these seals were used to combat tuberculosis, which was a major public health issue at the time.

Design

Christmas seals typically feature festive designs, including images of Santa Claus, Christmas trees, snowflakes, and other holiday symbols. The designs often change annually and can become collectible items. Some seals also feature the logos or symbols of the organizations they support.

Purpose

The primary purpose of Christmas seals is to raise funds for charitable causes. Initially, the funds were used to fight tuberculosis, but over time, the scope has expanded to include other health issues such as lung disease, cancer, and HIV/AIDS. In addition to health-related causes, some Christmas seals support social causes such as child welfare and education.

Collecting

Christmas seals are popular among philatelists and collectors. The seals are often collected for their artistic designs and historical significance. Some collectors focus on seals from specific countries or time periods, while others aim to complete sets from various years.

Related Pages

• Charity stamp
• Tuberculosis
• American Lung Association
• Philately
• Santa Claus
• Christmas

See Also

• Postage stamp
• Fundraising
• Nonprofit organization