17 November — December 2021 • First Days Part 13 On January 2, 1939, Finland issued a set of four semi-postal values with a distinctive red cross on each stamp, hovering over what appears to be a balefield. In fact, the scene reflects the 1859 bale at Solferino, Italy with the forces of France and Italy on one side and those of Austria against them. e bale was grim with much bloodshed, high casual- ties of dead and wounded, and many missing in action on both sides. e resultant horrors stimulated a Swiss businessman and social activist to lay the foundation for an organization that would provide humanitarian relief in the future. Henri Dunant, born in Geneva, witnessed the aſtermath of the bale and immediately set about organizing the local women to establish temporary hospitals to tend to the wounded. He wrote a book about these experiences and urged that a neutral organization be created to provide care to soldiers wounded in bale. His efforts resulted in the First Geneva Convention in 1864 “for the Amelioration of the Condition of the Wounded and Sick Armed Forces in the Field.” us the Internation- al Commiee of the Red Cross was established in Geneva, which later spawned many Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies around the world to offer aid in emergencies. In 1901 Dunant was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. e Finland set marks the 75 th anniversary of that First Geneva Convention. e sup- plemental cost of each stamp was for the benefit of the Red Cross. e four values were e Battle of Solferino by Carlo Bossoli, 1859. Finland Birth Certificates by Alan Warren 41 - Feature - WARREN - Finland XIII.indd 17 41 - Feature - WARREN - Finland XIII.indd 17 10/18/21 5:01 AM 10/18/21 5:01 AM