vintage Danish Christmas seals

The world's first Christmas seal (label) originated in Denmark. In 1904, The Danish Christmas Seal Committee issued the inaugural seal featuring a portrait of Queen Louise. Based on postmaster Einar Holbøel’s concept to develop cinderella stamps to raise funds for the welfare of sick children, the idea eventually was adapted by numerous other countries. The common focus initially was to bring awareness to tuberculosis. Known today as Julemærkefonden/The Christmas Seal Fund, the program is still releasing yearly seal designs.
denmark_christmas_seal_1904
denmark_christmas_seal_1905
art by H. Westergaard

denmark_christmas_seal_1911
denmark_christmas_seal_1914
denmark_christmas_seal_1918
art by Poul Corona

denmark_christmas_seal_1926
art by Valdemar Andersen

art by Hornung Jensen

denmark_christmas_seal_1929
art by Sven Henriksen

"The Little Match Girl," by Hans Christian Andersen
art by Arne Ungermann

Child with a Christmas elf
art by Sven Henriksen

angel and christmas tree seal 1933
art by Jais Nielsen

boy looking out window Christmas Seal 1937
art by Arne Ungermann

1938 Christmas Seal snowman
art by Herluf Nielsen

1943 Christmas seal block of girl picking flowers

1945 Christmas seal with Danish flag

art by Viggo Bang

1951 Christmas seal pine needles

1952 Denmark Christmas seal angel
art by Karen og Ebbe

1953 Christmas seal block of world's children with 1959 overprint
art by Karen og Ebbe

1954 Christmas seal of child and doves
art by Claes Lorenzen

denmark_christmas_seals_sheet_1955 sparrows
art by Ellen Gjerløv-Knudsen

1956 Christmas seal heart
art by Poul Abrahamsen

1957 Christmas seal Danish ships
art by Poul Abrahamsen

1958 Christmas seal Santa Claus
art by Ellen Gjerløv-Knudsen

denmark_christmas_seal_1963
design by Ingrid Andersen

Denmark Christmas seal 1966 red snow crystal
art by Boye Willumsen

christmas_seal_1970_angel

1973 Denmark Christmas seal cats

denmark_christmas_seal_1974
art by Poul Andersen

1975 Denmark Christmas seal Hans Christian Anderson fairytales papercuts

denmark_christmas_seal_1976
art by Freddy Poulsen