had meantime been notified. He satisfied himself by personal inquiry
that all necessary measures were being taken to give publicity to the
appeal and handle the contributions when received. The State Branch has
twenty subdivisions, and these in case of similar disasters have been
informed by letter, the small saving of time generally not justifying
the expense of telegraphing. In this important instance, however, the
chairman directed that the subdivisions should be notified by telegraph.
Within an hour or two, therefore, every subdivision secretary in the
state was advised of the appeal, and the morning papers in each locality
published it, together with the name and address of the local treasurer,
and a statement that the Red Cross, as the official emergency relief
organization, was the proper channel for the transmission of funds to
Italy. These telegraphic messages were followed by letters of formal
direction.
The Branch’s responsibilities were not discharged by these efforts.
We all know that a large portion of the public does not realize the
significance of the Red Cross, even in time of the most important
functions. Confused by the many claims on its attention, this portion
of the people hesitates as to the advisable course to take and ends
by waiting for fuller information. It was, therefore, of the greatest
assistance to the cause of practical relief that the President of the
United States, in his proclamation of the disaster, should point out
the Red Cross as the proper depository for popular contributions. When
Governors and Mayors do the same the representation is impressive and
convincing. One of the earliest acts of the Secretary of the State
Branch, therefore, was to write to Governor Hughes to request him to
follow the example of the President and direct the public to the Red
Cross, though naming the Treasurer of the State Red Cross. Communication
with the Governor’s secretary by long-distance wire followed. The
Governor readily appreciated the wisdom of the proposal and issued the
following proclamation:
“TO THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK:
“The calamity which has visited Southern Italy and Sicily
must not only excite our deep sympathy with those so suddenly
stricken, but our desire to aid in the relief of their pressing
necessities. To this we are prompted by humane impulse and by
our friendly interest in the people so largely represented
among our citizens.
“I recommend that contributions be made through the New York
State Branch of the American National Red Cross, which is in
communication with the Italian Red Cross and has undertaken to
receive and forward funds offered for relief.
“It may be hoped that the generosity of our people, which has
had such beneficent illustration in the past, may again have
abundant expression.
“Given under my hand and the Privy Seal of the State at the
Capitol in the city of Albany this thirtieth day of December,
in the year of our Lord one thousand nine hundred and eight.
“(Signed) CHARLES E. HUGHES.
“By the Governor:
“ROBERT H. FULLER,
“Secretary to the Governor.”
“The New York State Branch of the American National Red
Cross has offices at 500 Fifth avenue, New York City, and
contributions may be made to its Treasurer, Mr. Jacob H.
Schiff, there or at the address of Kuhn, Loeb & Company, 52
William street, New York City.”
Mayor McClellan, of New York City, when similarly approached issued an
announcement, stating that the City Hall Fund then being raised would be
turned over to the Red Cross for record and transmission and this was
done.
Desirable as it is that all relief funds, however raised, should at
least be passed through the Red Cross in order to receive public and
uniform accounting and speedy transmission, the fact, nevertheless,
is that not a few associations and individuals desire to raise funds
and themselves forward them. On this account the Italians of New York
City naturally enough organized their own relief committee, with the
Italian Consul-General, Raybaudi Massiglia, and the American delegate
of the Italian Red Cross, Mr. Lionello Perera, represented on it. The
New York State Branch of the American Red Cross at once placed itself
in communication with this committee. Colonel Sanger, the President of
the New York State Branch, also at a later day paid a personal call. The
funds collected by this organization, however, were sent directly to
Italy to the Italian Red Cross, and not through the American Red Cross.
Another committee, called the American-Italian relief committee, was
organized and is still engaged in raising funds by the sale of memorial
cards. It forwards the funds direct to the Italian Red Cross.
Many benefit performances were given in opera houses, theatres and public
halls. To the managers of these performances and to the promoters of
every relief fund being raised in the city, as fast as announcement of
it was made the secretary wrote, asking that the funds collected be sent
through the Red Cross as the recognized channel for relief. In some cases
personal interviews were had with managers by the Red Cross held agent.
The desire in doing this was not, of course, to limit the generosity or
to discourage the independent collection of funds, but, as stated, to
procure a public, uniform and central accounting. Many societies acceded
to the suggestion of the Red Cross and funds collected by churches,
Sunday schools, associations, women’s clubs, schools, etc., were sent to
Italy via American Red Cross. Several bankers, who cabled contributions
direct through their own Italian correspondents, were subsequently
impressed with the wisdom of the Red Cross arrangements, and may be
depended upon to make future remittances through it.
The first relief contributions began to come within twelve hours after
the issue of the appeal, and provision had to be made for the large
amount expected. The Christmas stamp campaign was just ended; only the
accounting remained to be done, and four salaried helpers were engaged
upon this when the Italian relief contributions began to pour in. Two
of these helpers were retained to assist in handling the heavy mail. In
addition two accounting clerks were furnished for a few days by members
of the executive committee, and greatly assisted in putting the accounts
in order. All contributions were receipted for as fast as received and
were also recorded in special books. A list of all the contributions was
sent daily to all of the newspapers for publication. The papers were
also supplied daily with interesting details of donations as reported by
visitors or in letters received.
Frequent demands were made to have the Red Cross take even a more active
part in raising funds than it had assumed. Several proposals to issue
relief stamps in imitation of the Christmas stamps were not adopted for
the reason that public interest in the Italian disaster was felt to be
already so high that no devices to stimulate it further were deemed
practicable or necessary. Contributions were being received many times
the amount which any stamp issues could possibly produce. Several offers
were made to turn over theatres and public halls for the purpose of
arranging benefit performances. But these, too, had to be refused since,
of course, such work is outside of the function of the Red Cross.
The public was so profoundly moved by the press’ circumstantial accounts
of the disaster and the appeal for immediate relief that it responded
almost instantaneously. Within twelve hours of the publication of
the first appeal the mail brought the first contributions. The first
day yielded $1,115, the second day $63,917.50. The total to date is
$317,378.94.
In this amount were the contributions received by the different
subdivisions of the State. The amounts began to fall off after the first
week, but continued in considerable sums for a long time and are still
coming in. The appeal was withdrawn on February 4.
AMOUNTS COLLECTED BY SUBDIVISIONS.
Albany County Subdivision $ 4,500.00
Broome County 204.27
Chautauqua 301.36
Dutchess County 616.55
Glen Cove 165.25
New York County 255,701.04
Rensselaer Co. 2,952.19
Schenectady Co. 1,794.62
Ulster County 963.97
Brooklyn 9,278.70
Buffalo 1,947.74
Columbia County 311.00
Far Rockaway 10.00
Islip Township 140.00
Oneida County 1,323.30
Rochester 8,434.49
Syracuse 1,482.32
Westchester County 257.68
ORIGIN OF THE CHRISTMAS STAMP
[Illustration: REPRODUCTION FROM AN ORIGINAL ENVELOPE BEARING ONE OF THE
STAMPS REFERRED TO IN THIS ARTICLE.]
“What was the origin of the Christmas Stamp?” was a question asked of Red
Cross officials scores—doubtless hundreds—of times during the holiday
season. This much we knew: On a letter received two years ago from
Denmark Mr. Jacob Riis discovered a new and unknown stamp which aroused
his curiosity. Inquiries brought its story, which he told a few months
later in “The Outlook.” Miss Emily P. Bissell, the able and energetic
secretary of the Delaware Red Cross Branch, read the story, and to the
Annual Meeting of the Red Cross in 1907 brought a design for our first
Christmas Stamp for the benefit of the anti-tuberculosis work, asking
permission that the Delaware Branch might experiment with it, and so it
had its birth in America. So successful proved the little stamp this past
year, it became a national stamp. The story of its sale and success is
told elsewhere. But what about its origin? Was it first thought of in
Denmark? No one seemed to know. Then came the Tuberculosis Congress, and
with it a report on Swedish tuberculosis work. What a surprise it was to
find in this interesting pamphlet the origin of the “Charity Stamp,” as
it is called, and still more of a surprise—a welcome surprise—to discover
that its invention is due to our own “Sanitary Commission”—that precursor
of the Red Cross. The Swedish report says: “The honor of having invented
the Charity Stamp must be given to America—that land of inventions.”
In the year 1862 the first Charity Stamps were sold at a great charity
festival in Boston. These stamps, which were called “Sanitary Fair
Stamps,” were sold to benefit the wounded in the war then proceeding
between the Northern and Southern States. The idea was not adopted in
Europe until thirty years later, when in 1892 Portugal produced the
first Charity Stamps (private stamps for the Red Cross Society). Since
then almost every country in Europe has used them and several hundred
different types have been called into existence. Some of those used
in Sweden are reproduced in this article. Learning this much from the
Swedish report, Red Cross Headquarters began an investigation of its
own, and through the librarian of the Boston Public Library was put
into communication with Mr. A. W. Batchelder, and through his courtesy
received three of the original stamps and a copy of the “American Journal
of Philately” January, 1889, which contains an interesting article on
“Stamps of the United States Sanitary Fairs,” by J. W. Scott. This
article, much of which we quote, is illustrated by a number of these
Sanitary Fair Stamps. Thanks to the kindness of Mr. Joseph S. Rich, of
New York, who loaned to the Red Cross his collection of these stamps,
and to the Surgeon-General’s office, of the United States Army, which
photographed them, we were able to reproduce illustrations of many of
these stamps.
[Illustration]
The following is taken from the American Journal of Philately, January,
1889:
“In conversing with non-philatelic friends we are frequently taunted with
the assertion that stamp collecting teaches nothing, commemorates no
important events, and, in fact, has none of those claims to recognition
which are conceded to the older science of numismatics.
“I wish to call your attention to a neglected series of United States
stamps, a collection which will fully vindicate the assertion that stamps
do commemorate national events, and in that respect are not one whit
behind their venerable competitors, coins. The stamp before us has for
its principal design the American Eagle, the bird of all others selected
by our forefathers to represent the country. It is a little unfortunate
that their knowledge of ornithology did not equal their love of freedom.
However, he is now firmly established as the national emblem, and we
must take him with all his faults and invest him with sufficient virtues
for his honorable position. The bird as represented clasps three arrows
in his right and an olive branch in his left claw; above is inscribed
‘Brooklyn Sanitary’ and below ‘Fair Postage.’ Unfortunately, the value is
not given, but, perhaps, this was intentional. The stamp is produced by
lithography, and printed in green on white paper.
“The stamp itself speaks volumes, and cannot fail to recall the time when
our country was torn by internecine strife. Three years of war had filled
our homes with mourning, our hospitals with maimed and crippled soldiers,
and exhausted the resources of the national Government to relieve their
sufferings. It was then that the ladies of the North organized fairs in
the different cities to raise money to supply the wounded with comfort
and delicacies; to send the convalescent to their homes, and to care for
the widows and orphans of the slain.
“The stamp was used in the fair held in the Academy of Music, in Montague
Street, Brooklyn, in 1864. But the spacious building was not large enough
to contain all the offerings of the people or the attractions provided
to tempt the dollars from the pockets of the thousands who filled the
various rooms, so a light wooden bridge was erected across the street to
a building on the opposite side. One of the most interesting features of
the fair was the model post-office, equipped with all the paraphernalia
which appertains to that useful institution. Here you could post a letter
to any part of the world, provided you placed the necessary number
of Uncle Sam’s stamps on it, and one of the fair’s labels to take it
to the general post-office. This was not all. If you inquired of the
innocent young lady at the window if there was a letter for you, you
would certainly get one, for one of the clever lady assistants would
write a little note while you waited, rather than have you disappointed,
and even if there should be considerable postage due on it, for you
certainly would not refuse it on that account, for it might be from your
‘Long Lost Brother,’ or some fair one who had promised to be a sister to
you.’ The Brooklyn Fair netted over $400,000.00 for the benefit of the
cause. Thus we find the Sanitary Fair Stamps were a source of innocent
amusement to the young people, while they turned in considerable cash for
the benefit of our wounded heroes, and left behind fragments of history
to be gathered up by the Bancrofts of the future, to say nothing of the
pleasure they have afforded to a generation of stamp collectors.
[Illustration]
“Of the second Brooklyn Fair I have been unable to obtain any particulars
other than that afforded by the stamp. The design consists of a foundry
cut of an eagle, with ‘Post’ above and ‘Office’ below, which is enclosed
in a rectangular frame inscribed, ‘Young Ladies of Brooklyn Bazaar’: a
figure five being in each corner. The stamp is typographed in black on
buff paper.
“Our next stamp is from New York, and is beautiful in design and
elaborate in detail. In the center we have the American Eagle with
outstretched neck and upraised wings; he is standing on the United States
shield, with flags and stars in the background and national motto above;
the inscription is artistically entwined around and reads: ‘Great Central
Fair Postage Stamp, U. S. Sanitary Commission,’ with value above and
below. The stamps are perforated and of three denominations—10 cents,
blue; 20 cents, green; 30 cents, black. They were engraved on steel by
the American Bank Note Co. This fair was held in Union Square, New York
City, where buildings were erected for the purpose. It was opened from
the latter part of April to the end of June, and was presided over by the
leaders in society, wealth and beauty of the metropolis. It netted the
enormous sum of $1,200,000.
[Illustration]
[Illustration]
“The next fair I call your attention to was held in the city of Albany.
Unfortunately, I have no particulars concerning it except such as relate
to the stamps. The first, of elegant design and workmanship, was prepared
by Gavit, the well-known engraver of that city, but as the time drew
near it was found impossible to have a supply printed in time; the plate
was accordingly laid aside and never used. The design is copied from
the one-cent blue carriers’ stamp, the well-known eagle on a branch to
the left, with ‘Bazaar Post Office’ above, ‘Ten Cents’ below, the whole
enclosed in a neat frame. I have seen impressions in scarlet, blue and
black on yellow surface paper. The stamp actually used was much smaller,
and produced by lithography by the same firm. The design is an eagle on
a rock, with ‘Bazaar Post Office’ above and ‘Ten Cents’ below, enclosed
in frame of single lines. It was printed in both red and black, and used
during the fair. I may add, that, as far as I know, this is the only
stamp of the series that has been counterfeited; the false stamp can
easily be recognized by the absence of shading around the eagle.
[Illustration]
[Illustration]
“Our next stamp takes us to Boston, where the most successful fair in the
Eastern States was held. It is interesting to note that, while all the
stamps issued in New York State took an eagle for the device, those used
in New England States were adorned with figures of soldiers or sailors.
The stamp before us represents a sailor with a wooden leg, holding the
American flag in his right hand; the vignette is crossed by the legend,
‘National Sailors’ Fair,’ on label above ‘Ten’ below ‘Cents.’ They are
produced by lithography, printed in light green and cut out by an oval
punch with scalloped edges. The fair was held in January, 1864, and
realized $147,000 for the cause.
“The next stamp on our list comes from Springfield, Mass., and I have
no information other than that supplied by the label itself. The design
represents an officer bowing to two ladies, probably welcoming them
to the fair, the figure 10, in rather large figures, being between
them; in the center above is the inscription, ‘Soldiers’ Fair,’ below,
‘Springfield, Mass.’; figure 10 in the left upper corner, ‘Chubbuck’ in
small letters in the lower right corner. It is evidently printed from
a wood block in brownish mauve ink in various shades. Not the least
interesting part of this stamp is the engraver’s name in the corner,
‘Chubbuck,’ the celebrated engraver of the Brattleboro stamp.
[Illustration]
[Illustration]
“The last of the series is a remembrance of Stamford, Conn. It represents
a soldier on guard, with the name of the town, ‘Stamford,’ in straight
line at top; on arched ribbon, ‘Soldiers’ Fair’; below, in straight
line, ‘Fifteen Cents.’ It is printed from a wood block in brown ink on
white paper. There were many other fairs held throughout the length and
breadth of the loyal States, but although I gave special attention to the
subject at the time, the above described are all that I have been able to
discover. The success of the post-offices at the soldiers’ fairs induced
other charitable institutions to adopt like means of raising money, among
which may be named the Children’s Aid Society, the Orthodox Jewish Fair,
etc., etc., but as they lack the national element, I do not think them
worthy of collection; but the series I have described, which is composed
of thirteen stamps, all told, and considering the small number, the
interest attached to them and the great events they commemorate is well
worthy an honored place in the collections of American philatelists.”
[Illustration]
So from their origin the Red Cross seems to have a special right to
these stamps. Their success will be apt to cause various organizations
to desire to copy this idea. This will lead to an unfortunate result.
Such repetitions will tire the public and the multiplicity of the stamps
will create a lack of interest and destroy their usefulness not only for
these other charities, but for the purpose for which they were revived
in this country—the anti-tuberculosis work of the American Red Cross. It
is to be hoped that our unfortunate American habit of “running a good
thing into the ground” will not lead in this case to the destruction of
the usefulness of the Red Cross Christmas Stamp by the overproduction of
these charity stamps.
[Illustration: SOME CHARITY STAMPS OF SWEDEN.]
IF YOU ARE NOT A MEMBER,
WOULD YOU NOT LIKE
TO JOIN?
[Illustration: _THE CHALLENGE_
A CARTOON APPEARING IN THE PHILADELPHIA “LEDGER,” LAST NOVEMBER.]
FUNDS RAISED THROUGH SALE OF RED CROSS CHRISTMAS STAMPS, 1908 AND OBJECTS
TO WHICH THEY WILL BE APPLIED
The following is a brief statement of the results of last year’s stamp
sale, showing in general terms the manner in which the money raised will
be applied. The total fund secured so far as reports at hand show was
$138,244.51.
CALIFORNIA—
California Red Cross Branch and its Subdivisions $4,530.49
To be applied to Sanatoria, educational work, Day Camps,
District Visiting Nurses, etc.
COLORADO—
Associated Charities of Colorado Springs $684.62
To be applied to establishing free sanatorium for
Tuberculosis patients.
CONNECTICUT—
Connecticut Red Cross Branch $5,677.18
To be applied to the establishment of Day Camps and for
individual cases of tuberculosis among the poor.
DELAWARE—
Delaware Red Cross Branch $1,152.17
To be applied to purchasing site for dispensary and
salaries of two nurses.
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA—
District of Columbia Branch $2,906.06
To be applied to maintenance of Day Camp.
FLORIDA—
General Federation of Women’s Clubs, Jacksonville $1,397.23
To be applied to an anti-tuberculosis campaign.
GEORGIA—
Atlanta Committee on Tuberculosis $1,500.00
To be applied to salary of local efficient secretary and
educational work of anti-tuberculosis society.
Augusta Committee on Tuberculosis $90.76
To be applied to day camp for Richmond County.
ILLINOIS—
Chicago Tuberculosis Institute $7,417.51
To be applied towards support of dispensary department
consisting of seven tuberculosis clinics and small
appropriations towards sanatorium patients’ milk and
egg fund, etc.
INDIANA—
Indiana Red Cross Branch $3,831.58
To be applied to the aid of two specific cases of
tuberculosis and balance will probably be expended
in aiding existing anti-tuberculosis organizations.
IOWA—
Burlington Red Cross Division $237.00
To be applied to Iowa tuberculosis fund.
KANSAS—
Kansas Red Cross Branch $154.46
To be applied to educational work.
KENTUCKY—
Kentucky Anti-Tuberculosis Organization, Louisville $2,300.00
To be applied to educational work in Louisville and
general promotion and organization throughout the State.
MAINE—
Maine Red Cross Branch $2,500.00
To be applied to Day Camps, tuberculosis classes,
educational work, State Sanitarium.
MARYLAND—
Maryland Association for the Prevention and Relief of
Tuberculosis $5,201.24
To be applied in educational work and in the support
of four special tuberculosis nurses and the special
tuberculosis dispensary maintained by the Association.
MASSACHUSETTS—
Massachusetts Red Cross Branch $13,000.00
To be applied to Day Sanatoria, visiting nurses, etc.
MICHIGAN—
Michigan Red Cross Branch $3,344.17
To be applied to the erection of a Day Camp for
tubercular children on property owned by city.
Civic League, Bay City $394.15
To be used in supplying nurses to tuberculosis patients.
MINNESOTA—
State Board of Health (St. Paul) $1,506.86
To be applied to educational work of State
Anti-Tuberculosis Association.
MISSOURI—
Missouri Red Cross Branch $475.00
General work of organization, education and relief.
NEBRASKA—
Nebraska Association for the Study and Prevention of
Tuberculosis (Omaha) $237.08
To be applied in educational work.
Eaton Laboratory (Lincoln) $33.70
To be applied in educational work.
NEW HAMPSHIRE—
New Hampshire Red Cross Branch $1,300.00
To be applied to educational work and expenses of
traveling nurse.
NEW JERSEY—
New Jersey Red Cross Branch $464.53
To be applied to the support of a Red Cross tent,
should the State have a camp for tuberculosis patients;
otherwise the proceeds will probably be given to the New
Jersey State Tuberculosis Society.
L. S. Plaut & Co., Newark $235.00
Proceeds given to local Anti-Tuberculosis Society.
Mrs. S. C. Comstock, Montclair, by authority of New Jersey
Branch $927.25
To be applied to support of Summer Day Camp or to
support of patients in other camps.
Anti-Tuberculosis Committee of the Oranges $2,200.55
To be applied in Educational work.