USPS Commemorates Sarah Orne Jewett with New Literary Stamp

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.

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.