Denmark stamps Christmas Seal year 1929 MNH

Denmark stamps Christmas Seal year 1929 MNH

The Danish Christmas Seal (Julemærke) for the year 1929 is a significant and popular issue, as these seals are a Danish invention (first issued in 1904) to raise funds for the fight against tuberculosis and for children’s welfare.

Here are the key details about the 1929 Danish Christmas Seal:

Design and Theme

• Design: The seal features a child holding a Christmas tree (Barn med juletræ).
• Artist: Sven Henriksen. The model for the child was reportedly the artist’s son, Ole Henriksen.
• Inscription: The seal typically bears the year and the word “JULEN” (Christmas).
• Colors: The main colors used were blue, red, gold, and grey.

Purpose and Context

• Charity: As with all Danish Christmas Seals, the funds raised from the 1929 seal were used to build and operate Christmas Seal Homes (Julemærkehjem) for children in need of health and convalescent care.
• Printing: It was printed by Alfred Jacobsens Etablissement (I.P. Jensen).
• Catalogue Number: The seal is listed in specialist cinderellas and seal catalogues (such as the AFA Julemærkekatalog), but does not have a standard major stamp catalogue number (like Scott or Stanley Gibbons) as it is a charity seal, not a postage stamp.

Collectibility Note:

• Danish Christmas Seals are highly collectible, and the early issues like the 1929 seal are sought after, particularly in pristine (Mint Never Hinged) condition or as a full, unfolded sheet. The AFA catalogue value for a full sheet of the 1929 seal is significantly higher than that of a single, loose seal.