The seaweed is always greener…

185 years ago today, the world was introduced to a story that has transformed from its original incarnation almost as fully as did its main character: “The Little Mermaid.” Written by Danish author Hans Christian Andersen, the fairy tale was first published by C.A. Reitzel in Copenhagen on April 7, 1837 in the first collection of Fairy Tales Told for Children.

I was captivated by several versions of the story growing up, and took note of this Danish stamp when I discovered it in my collection. Today, on the anniversary of the story’s first publication, I wanted to share a few tales about this woman with a fish tail.

Tales behind the tail

Andersen (April 2, 1805–August 4, 1875) did not invent the concept of mermaids—stories from ancient Assyria date back to 1000 BC—but he did perhaps popularize the image of mermaids we think of today. 

In his story, a young mermaid gives up her life in the sea (and her voice) to fall in love with a handsome prince and gain a human soul. Unfortunately, Andersen’s prince does not fall for the mute mermaid and instead marries another. However, instead of ending in tragedy, Andersen penned “a more natural, more divine path” for his protagonist. While she does not get the human soul she desires, the Little Mermaid, who spent so much time in pain while still doing good things for men, was transformed into a “Daughter of the Air.” This third, but not yet final, incarnation gave her the opportunity to spend 300 years doing good deeds, at which time she might one day earn a soul and rise up into Heaven.

Over the last nearly two centuries, scholarly and public reception to this ending has been mixed. Perhaps, though, the many different interpretations of the story are part of what has kept it alive. Like the mermaid herself, Andersen’s fairy tale has morphed over time, taking different forms to suit the ever-shifting public consciousness. From the page to musical theater, anime, ballet, opera, television, and film, “The Little Mermaid” has remained a staple feature of pop culture around the world for almost 200 years.

Tales behind the sculpture

Among the many visual interpretations of “The Little Mermaid” is one particularly famous sculpture sitting on a rock in the harbor of Copenhagen, Denmark, where the story was first published. The “small and unimposing” bronze was commissioned in 1909 by Carl Jacobsen, son of the founder of Carlsberg Brewery. It was unveiled by sculptor Edward Eriksen on August 23, 1913. Ellen Price, the ballerina who danced “The Little Mermaid” in the 1909 Royal Danish Ballet production, was the model for the head and face. The artist’s wife, Eline Eriksen, was the model for the body. It depicts the mermaid, newly out of the water, mid-transformation into a human.

Copenhagen’s mermaid sculpture is an icon of the city and one of the nation’s top tourist attractions. However, since the mid-1960s, it has also been one of the most frequently vandalized pieces of art in the world. At least five times, vandals did or attempted to sever its head, cut off its arm, and even blast it off the rock. Paint has also been poured on the poor mermaid at least a half dozen times, usually in conjunction with political messaging to bring attention to various domestic and global issues.

And while not vandalism, per se, the mermaid has been found in various states of dress over the years, ​​either for fun or to make more serious statements. From playful Christmas caps to politically motivated burqas, as well as various football team jerseys, it seems not uncommon for passersby to find her wearing more than the artist intended.

Tales behind the stamp

The Danish stamp shown at the top of the post was issued in 1989 to commemorate the centenary of the Danish Tourism Association. Shown at a different angle from the photo above, the engraved stamp shows the sculpture looking away from the viewer, while the viewer can see her fins in the process of turning into legs. The words “DANSK TURISME” (“Danish Tourism”) in the top left corner belie its purpose.

Probably due to translation issues, I had trouble pinning down just what the Danish Tourism Association is up to today. Marketing of Denmark as a tourist destination is carried out by VisitDenmark, which is affiliated with the Ministry of Business and Growth. Locally, Wonderful Copenhagen is the official tourism organization of the Capital Region. They even use the mermaid as the icon for their site.

Regarding the cancellation mark, what is visible hugs the right side of the stamp. I can’t read any of the date, but the beginning letters of the town are visible and read “KØB”. Based on that, it’s likely that the stamp was canceled in København (Copenhagen)—perhaps within steps of the sculpture itself!?

“The Little Mermaid” on other Danish stamps

The 1989 iteration of “The Little Mermaid” was neither Denmark’s first nor last mermaid stamp. 

On October 4, 1935, Denmark issued a set of six stamps (Scott DK 246–251) commemorating the centenary of Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tales. Four values showed a likeness of Andersen in the 1860s (7, 15, 20, and 30 øre). “The Ugly Duckling” published in 1844 (5 øre) and “The Little Mermaid” are depicted on the other two. At 10 øre, the orange mermaid stamp paid the domestic postage rate of the time.

In 1996, Denmark issued a set of stamps for their “Copenhagen, Cultural Capital of Europe” series. Among the stamps was one (Scott DK 1044) of the mermaid sitting on the rock, framed by theater curtains, depicting “The Little Mermaid” on stage. 

In 2013, the nation issued a souvenir sheet marking the 100th anniversary of the unveiling of the statue (Scott DK 1643) that reads “Den Lille Havfrue” (“The Little Mermaid”). 

Many other nations around the world have also issued mermaid stamps over the years. The American Topical Association counts 208 mermaids on their current checklist. If you, too, were captivated by “The Little Mermaid” as a child, the Danish stamps listed above could be the jumping off point for a rich and fantastical collection!

What do you think? Do you collect mermaid stamps? Have you seen the Copenhagen mermaid sculpture in person? Let me know your thoughts!