Easter seals (philately)

Easter seals, in the context of philately, refers to seals or labels produced for fundraising purposes, often by charitable organizations, around the Easter holiday. These seals are not postage stamps and do not prepay postage. Instead, they are affixed to envelopes and other mail items to show support for the organization and its cause.

Unlike postage stamps, Easter seals are typically printed in large quantities and sold at a low price. They are often colorful and feature Easter-related imagery, such as bunnies, eggs, and religious symbols.

Easter seals are collected by some philatelists as a form of Cinderella stamp, a term used to describe stamp-like labels that are not valid for postage. Their value as collectibles depends on factors such as their rarity, condition, and the organization that issued them. Major areas of interest for collectors include identifying different printings, perforations, and errors.

The purpose of Easter seals is primarily fundraising and raising awareness, not postal usage. While they enhance the appearance of mail, they are distinct from postage stamps and other official postal markings. The tradition of using seals for charitable fundraising predates many specific Easter seal campaigns, with Christmas seals being a prominent example.