Mayflower in Plymouth Harbor Forever Stamp 2020
The U.S. Postal Service commemorates the 400th anniversary of the arrival of the Mayflower passengers with a special stamp honoring the historic voyage that brought 102 English settlers to the shores of present-day Plymouth, Massachusetts, in 1620. Known today as the Pilgrims, these passengers became part of a defining chapter in American history, and the story of their settlement has continued to influence generations and shape discussions surrounding the nation's early ideals.
The stamp artwork, created by artist Greg Harlin, portrays the dramatic landscape that greeted the Pilgrims after their difficult transatlantic journey. Using watercolor, gouache, and acrylic paint, with additional digital refinement, Harlin captured the stark yet beautiful atmosphere of an unfamiliar coastline at the end of a long and uncertain voyage. The design also includes a stylized hawthorn blossom rendered through intaglio printing. In England, the hawthorn a flowering plant in the rose family is traditionally known in some regions as the mayflower because it typically blooms during the month of May.
The history of the Pilgrims is closely connected with that of the Wampanoag people, known as the People of the First Light, who had lived in the region for generations before the settlers arrived. The Wampanoag formed an alliance with the Pilgrims and established a treaty that helped maintain a period of relative peace for more than five decades. Their knowledge, guidance, and assistance were essential to the survival of the early Plymouth settlement, and they shared in the harvest celebration held by the Pilgrims in the autumn of 1621.
Over time, several events connected to Plymouth became deeply embedded in the broader American historical narrative, including the signing of the Mayflower Compact, the landing at Plymouth Rock, and the tradition of Thanksgiving. The stamp recognizes the enduring legacy of the Mayflower's voyage and the many communities whose histories are intertwined with this moment.
Greg Breeding served as art director and designed the stamp and pane.
The Mayflower in Plymouth Harbor stamp is issued as a Forever stamp, meaning it will always maintain the same value as the current First-Class Mail one-ounce postage rate.
