U.S. Postal Service Honors Sarah Orne Jewett with New Stamp

The U.S. Postal Service has announced that a new stamp honoring 19th-century author Sarah Orne Jewett will be included in its 2026 lineup of Forever stamps. Designed by Canadian illustrator Mark Summers, the stamp pays tribute to Jewett’s significant contributions to American literature, particularly her influence on regionalism.

Jewett, born in 1849 in South Berwick, Maine, is celebrated for her novels, short stories, essays, and poems. She was a prolific letter writer, often corresponding with her partner, Annie Fields. Their relationship flourished as they spent part of the year in Boston, while Jewett returned to South Berwick to write. One poignant letter she penned, signed “SOJ,” expresses her deep affection: “Are you sure you know how much I love you? If you don’t, I can’t tell you, but I think of you and think of you, and I’m always being reminded of you. I am yours, most lovingly.”

Jewett’s Literary Legacy

The U.S. Postal Service’s announcement highlights Jewett as “a foundational figure in American literary regionalism.” She began publishing at a young age and authored over 300 works, often inspired by the people and landscapes of her Maine village. The Postal Service emphasized her ability to create intimate portrayals of characters and their environments, reflecting the culture and spirit of the region. Jewett’s strong female characters have sparked renewed interest in her work, showcasing her relevance in contemporary literature.

Jewett spent much of her life in South Berwick, where she was raised next to her grandfather’s house. This location became the setting for her first novel, “Deephaven,” published in 1877. The house has since been preserved as a National Historic Landmark and is open for public tours from June to October, with digital tours available through Historic New England at jewett.house.

A Glimpse of Maine’s Beauty

The stamp designed by Summers features Jewett against the iconic rocky coastline of Maine, framed by coniferous trees. This imagery is a nod to her best-known work, “The Country of the Pointed Firs,” which narrates the experiences of a city woman spending a summer in the fictional coastal town of Dunnet Landing. Summers expressed his intention to connect Jewett to both her era and the striking landscape of Maine, stating, “I wanted to really tie her to the age she lived in and to the landscape of Maine.”

The release date and dedication ceremony for the three-ounce Jewett stamp, which will be the 35th installment in the Postal Service’s “Literary Arts” series, have yet to be announced. As her legacy continues to inspire readers and writers alike, this stamp serves as a fitting homage to a woman who captured the essence of her time and place through her writing.