One of my favourite aspects of the holiday season is philanthropy– it is the time of year when people most often think of others. And as an historian of monarchy, I always love seeing royals get involved with different festive causes. Crown Princess Mary of Denmark is the Patron of Julemærkefonden, a Danish charity that provides support for children and teens suffering from mental health issues and bullying. The foundation is over a century old, and their annual holiday tradition dates back to 1904. Each Christmas, they release a Danish Christmas Seal stamp to raise funds.
A Christmas Seal is a non-stamp; it often has a festive design and can be used to send holiday cards (but sometimes solely for decorative purposes). I will be calling it a stamp throughout, though- many people still know it as a stamp!
When Did the Danish Christmas Seal Stamp First Appear?
In 1903 a Danish postal clerk, Einar Holbøll, came up with the idea to raise money for sick children. At the time, tuberculosis was prevalent and funds raised went to support children and teenagers suffering from it.
The first Christmas Seal stamp appeared the following year in 1904. It featured a portrait of Queen Louise (consort of King Christian IX), and the Danish word for Christmas, Julen.
The first Christmas Seal Sanitorium opened in 1911 for children.
“Denmark Christmas Seal: bird” by Karen Horton on Flickr, licensed via CC by 2.0
Danish Royal Support
The Danish royal family has supported the Christmas Seal Foundation for over a century. The current Queen, Queen Margrethe II, has designed the stamp three times- in 1970, 2003, and 2015. She has also appeared on the stamp several times.
Crown Princess Mary has been unveiling the new design for the Christmas Seal stamp for almost a decade now, and it is an annual tradition.
Have you seen a Danish Christmas Seal stamp?
Cheers,
The Historian
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