The Nobata and Sabata Christmas Charity Seals

These are classified as charity labels and also collectively known as cinderella stamps. They were used to seal letters but it is rare to see them actually used on covers. Nobata stands for North Borneo Anti-Tuberculosis Association and after independence it was known as Sabata or Sabah Anti-Tuberculosis Association.

Historically, TB was quite prevalent in Sabah and a top killer in terms of disease. A catholic priest Father J W Roetenberg who was in North Borneo in the late 1940s and early 50s was appalled by the local situation. He campaigned for better treatment and facilities for TB patients by assisting the government's efforts. In 1952, Nobata was formed. ATA or anti-tuberculosis associations have been around since 1904 when they were first started in Denmark with the production and selling of special charity Christmas seals or stamps. The other European countries soon followed and invariably they were associated with promoting awareness and raising funds to support TB causes. The first American Christmas Seal was produced in 1907. 

The Government Printer, Mr V A Spradbrow was the first president of Nobata. Ena Mary, the wife of the last Governor , William A C Goode was also president of Nobata. Other post holders include Tun Fuad Stephens and Tan Sri Richard Lind. 

This series with a very basic design of orchids was the very first issue in 1960. Prior to this, some of the labels from the National Association for the Prevention of Tuberculosis of GB, NAPT were sold in North Borneo. 

These are the 1961 and 1962 issues with better designs of birds and butterflies respectively. There is a double bar cross at the top corner which is known as the Cross of Lorraine, the symbol for the fight against TB which was universally adopted for these labels from various countries after the International Conference on tuberculosis held in Berlin in 1902. 

1963 saw the first issue from newly independent Sabah and again the design comprised 4 different types of orchids. Another dozen issues followed intermittently until 1985. Generally, it is more difficult to find these in complete sheets which I think is much more attractive.

A cover sent from Jesselton to Jamaica on 1 AU 58 taking 2 months to arrive on OC 3 58 for a surface rate of 12c. At the back, 2 charity NAPT labels from GB were used to seal the envelope. It is interesting  to note that the James Town cancellation partly crossed one of the seals. These type of seals on NB or Sabah covers are very uncommon in my experience.