South Berwick Postmaster Matthew Kirksey introduced the commemorative stamp at the Sarah Orne Jewett Literary House, marking the 35th installment in the series. The portrait features the author set against a sun-drenched Maine landscape, a nod to the atmosphere of her seminal work, The Country of the Pointed Firs. Jewett, who lived in South Berwick her entire life, remains a central figure in American regionalism for her intimate portrayals of communal values and individual spirit.
USPS Commemorates Sarah Orne Jewett with New Literary Stamp
The Maine coast serves as a backdrop to the latest entry in the U.S. Postal Service Literary Arts series, unveiled today in South Berwick. The stamp honors Sarah Orne Jewett, the 19th-century author who immortalized the regional character of New England through her prolific fiction and essays.
Active from her teens until a 1902 accident curtailed her writing, Jewett authored hundreds of stories and 18 novels, later serving as a mentor to writers like Willa Cather. The new 3-ounce stamp, designed by art director Ethel Kessler with illustrations by Mark Summers, is currently available at post offices and online. It functions as a permanent rate stamp, ensuring her literary legacy remains accessible to collectors and correspondents nationwide.
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