Originated in Denmark, Christmas seals have become a universal symbol of the fight against tuberculosis. A story that includes an important chapter by Dr. Sherwood Hall, ‘19, and his wife, Dr. Marian Hall, the former Marian Bottomley, ’22. Going to Korea as medical missionaries in 1926, they established that country’s first tuberculosis sanatorium, for which they were decorated by the Emperor of Japan, and introduced the Christmas seal idea.
Transferred to India during World War II, the Drs. Hall built up Madar Union Sanatorium from 30 to more than 350 beds to head the list of Government recognized sanatoria with the best surgical record in India. Again they introduced Christmas seals with successful results.
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An interesting piece about Indian Christmas Seals that I was not aware about. I wish the tradition of printing these unique seals had continued. I hope that the management of Madar Sanatorium revive these seals, as many philatelists worldwide would be interested.
Are you sure they actually quit issuing TB seals in India? They are still listed on this page (scroll down to for instance 2019): https://theunion.org/about-us/awards-and-honours/christmas-seals-exhibit-and-contest
You are absolutely right. I looked them up here http://tbassnindia.org/StoryofTBSeal.html
Thanks for the correction.
The Tuberculosis Association of India (TAI) began printing seals in 1950 but they are a different organization. For some years there were seals issued by both the Sanitorium and the national organization. Now the only seals are from the TAI.