National Tuberculosis Association Collection of Prints and Ephemera, approximately 1939-1945

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Summary

Title:
National Tuberculosis Association collection of prints and ephemera
Dates:
approximately 1939-1945
Creators:
National Tuberculosis Association
Abstract:
A collection of four items, dating approximately 1939 to 1945, published by the National Tuberculosis Association as part of an educational public health campaign for the early diagnosis of tuberculosis in the United States. The promotional materials reference being paid for by the Christmas Seals program and include letterheads and posters promoting the prevention of tuberculosis through chest X-rays.
Extent:
0.81 Linear Feet (1 folder)
Language:
Materials are in English.
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item]. National Tuberculosis Association collection of prints and ephemera, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.

Background

Scope and content:

A collection of four items, dating approximately 1939 to 1945, published by the National Tuberculosis Association as part of an educational public health campaign for the early diagnosis of tuberculosis in the United States. The promotional materials reference being paid for by the Christmas Seals program and include images of the program's double-barred red cross emblem.

The first item is double-sided and features a blank letterhead for the 16th Annual Educational Campaign for the Early Diagnosis of Tuberculosis. The letterhead includes a red-and-black vignette of four men in profile with varying attire representing the Army, the Navy, the Air Force, and the Coast Guard above a detail of a chest X-ray. Text below their image reads, "They had chest X-rays, get yours. Tuberculosis is preventable." Verso of item is a red-and-black informational print reading, "Follow the example of the armed forces. Get a chest X-ray. Tuberculosis is preventable – curable." Print includes black-and-white photographs, including a group photograph of the U.S. Army Signal Corps in line to receive a chest X-ray.

The second item is a red-and-black poster featuring profiles of a man and woman above text that reads, "Chest X-ray. In war – a patriotic duty. In peace – plain common sense." The third item is a blank letterhead for the 17th Annual Educational Campaign. The left of the letterhead features a black-and-red vignette with a split-face graphic of two profiles, one of a man in a military helmet against a profile of an allegorical woman wearing a wreath. Text below the profiles states, "In war, a patriotic duty, in peace, plain common sense. Get your chest X-ray now." The fourth item is double-sided and includes a description for "Four lessons on tuberculosis" and instructions on building an educational exhibit.

Biographical / historical:

The National Association for the Study and Prevention of Tuberculosis (NASPT) was established in 1904 by Dr. Edward Livingston Trudeau (1848-1915) and other medical and non-medical Americans to promote the study and prevention of tuberculosis. In 1918, the organization rebranded as the National Tuberculosis Association (NTA). In 1920, the Association assumed operation of the Christmas Seal program from the Red Cross, and introduced the double-barred red cross as the program's emblem. With funding from the holiday campaign, the Association formed an educational campaign for the early diagnosis of tuberculosis. Through promotional flyers, conferences, and research support, the Association spread awareness for the prevention of the disease and disseminated information regarding treatment. The Association also engaged with local hospitals and agencies with funding from the Christmas Seal aid to establish programs for routine chest X-rays testing for patients, and to aid in the purchase of mobile X-rays. In 1973, the National Tuberculosis Association became the American Lung Association; the Association continues to raise funds today through the Christmas Seal program to support the treatment of all lung diseases.

Acquisition information:
Purchased from eBay seller rando.vintage, July 2025.
Processing information:

Processed by Mari Khasmanyan, February 2026.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Mari Khasmanyan
Date Encoded:
This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2026-03-02 16:55:46 -0800 .

Access and use

Restrictions:

Open for use by qualified researchers and by appointment. Please contact Reader Services at the Huntington Library for more information.

Terms of access:

The Huntington Library does not require that researchers request permission to quote from or publish images of this material, nor does it charge fees for such activities. The responsibility for identifying the copyright holder, if there is one, and obtaining necessary permissions rests with the researcher.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item]. National Tuberculosis Association collection of prints and ephemera, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.

Location of this collection:
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, CA 91108, US
Contact:
(626) 405-2191
reference@huntington.org
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