First Thorvaldsen Society Christmas Seal 1913
Children's Aid
The Thorvaldsen Society was founded in November 1875, deriving its name from the sculptor Bertel Thorvaldsen who had inadvertently brought together the society-to-be’s members : the same year, when a statue of the Danish sculptor was unveiled on Austurvöllur Square in Reykjavík, a few young ladies had been given the task of decorating the square. These young women had in turn enlisted friends and relatives to assist, and found that they so enjoyed working together for a common cause that on November 19, 1875, they decided to formally establish a charitable society with the aim of helping children in need.