The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1908-12-04
RED CROSS CHRISTMAS STAMPS

Quainted with the pretty nCtle WHITE
and red 1-cent stamp now being intro
duced with it's Merry Christmas"
greeting and bright cross among hol-
ly leaves. People know in general
way that it stands for a philanthropic
movement, but not many understand
its origin or significance. Some have
wondered what new Yankee notion"
it represents. There they are mistak-
en-, for it is not Yankee notion. We
borrowed the idea from Denmark,
where it originated about four years
ago. In that country much is made
of Christmas, and it is celebrated in
spirit Of charity as well as of gift CIV
ing.
Some four years ago postal official
Of Denmark suggested the issue OF
special government stamp at the
Christmas season, the net proceeds of
which should go to some deserving
charity. The suggestion was taken up
by a number Of charity workers, and
an arrangement was made by which
the postoffice department agreed to
issue such a stamp, the only stipula-
ton being that it should not be good
for postage and should be different in
size and shape.
Thereupon the government printed
100000 stamps and they were placed
on sale at one-ha1f cent each, the net
proceeds to be used in building hos
pital for tubercular children. 1t was
fitting that this new form Of Christ
mas charity, originating in Hans
Christian Anderson's country, should
ted in it's inception with
The Christmas stamp be-
came popular at once and had great
sale. The first issue of 100000 was
soon increased to 100000 and then
to 100000 The holiday sales the
first season were over 100000 stamps
netting the hospital fund a handsome
sum. The experiment has been re-
peated every year since and the hos
pital is now a success.
The idea was first introduced in this
country by the Delaware branch Of the
Red Cross Society, about year ago,
as a means of raising money with
which to fight tuberculosis. The ex-
pertinent inaugurated by little Della:
ware" was so successful that the ma
tional Red Cross Society took it up,
and this year Christmas stamps for
sweet charity" are being sold all over
the country. They are issued by the
Government bureau Of engraving and
printing and printed by the American
Bank Note Company, but the Govern
ment does not father them except by
permitting them to be placed on any
mail matter-letters, postal cards,
newspapers, packages, anything mail
able.
They do not pay postage, but one
may place any number of them on
letter or package. 1t might be said
of them that while they do not carry
any kind Of mail matter, any kind of
mail matter will carry them.
Much of the work connected with
their issue, circulation and sale is
done gratuitously, and the net pro-
ceeds of the sales go to the Red
Cross Society to aid it's work against
| tuberculosis. The national society
prints the stamps and supplies them
| to the State branches, but claims no
part of the revenue beyond enough to
pay for the printing. The profits from
the sales in each State go to the Red
Cross branch society of that State. At
l cent each the net profit will be
large, depending, of course, on the
sales. Their use probably will become
permanent feature of the holiday
season, and not the least of their ben
efits will be moral and educational
There is double benefit in giving
even one cent to good cause.-Ind-
annapolis News.