Worldwide TB Seals

The world’s first tuberculosis Seal issued at Christmas time was Denmark 1904, conceived by Danish postal worker Einar Holboll. Though there were tuberculosis seals issued before 1904, Holboll is credited with conceiving the idea of a TB seal issued at Christmas time, during the season of giving. Holboll’s plan was approved by the Postmaster and the King of Denmark. Seals then spread quickly throughout Scandinavia and every major country in Europe, and are still popular today. TB seals have been issued by hundreds of different societies, nationally, and locally in Africa, Asia, Canada, Caribbean, Central America, Europe, Mexico, Middle East, Oceania, and South America. The vast majority of all TB seals since then were issued at Christmas time and included the international symbol against TB, the double barred cross of Lorraine.