2020 Mayflower in Plymouth Harbor Stamp
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Celebrates the 400th anniversary of the arrival in the New World of the Pilgrims aboard the Mayflower
Stamp Category: Commemorative
Value: Forever stamp (non-denominated)
First Day of Issue: September 17, 2020
First Day City: Plymouth, Massachusetts
Printed by: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd.
Format: Issued in panes of 20 pressure-sensitive (self-adhesive) stamps
Printing method: Offset printed, with engraved Mayflower insignia
Why the stamp was issued: The US Postal Service® issued this stamp to commemorate a defining moment in American history – and its 400th anniversary – the landing of the Pilgrims at Plymouth Harbor in late December, 1620. The stamp fulfilled the first-class postage rate for letters up to one ounce.
About the stamp design: The stamp shows the ship Mayflower as it sits in Plymouth Harbor, where over 100 exhausted immigrants to the New World dropped anchor after a treacherous sea journey of 66 days.
Writing on medium.com, the stamp’s designer – Greg Breeding, art director of the USPS – talks about his close collaboration with Greg Harlin, who created the original art. Harlin noted the use of strong vertical lines of the ship contrasting with the horizontal lines of the landscape shows how form can stir emotions “and in this instance a sense of beautiful but foreboding awareness.” While the Pilgrims didn’t know what dangers and challenges awaited them on those dark shores, the stamp’s artwork conveys the feeling.
Sunlight breaks through the clouds at dawn as the landing party’s boat starts for the shore. And it reflects on the water. In adding this element, artist and designer purposely brought light, and with it a sense of hope, to the darker scene of water, clouds, ship and shore. This “Forever” stamp, with its stunning design, will preserve the history and hope of people searching for religious freedom – forever.
Special design details: The original artwork was done in a combination of watercolor, gouache (opaque watercolor) and acrylic.
The Mayflower symbol in the upper right was drawn by the stamp’s designer – Greg Breeding. Printed in intaglio, it’s a stylized version of the mayflower shrub blossom, from which the hired ship took its name.
1620 at the top right indicates the date of the event and highlights its 400th anniversary.
Date of issue – 2020 – is shown in light type at bottom right of the stamp.
Ink goes right to the edges of the stamp in what’s called a “full bleed”, giving more space for the design.
The Mayflower is flying England’s Union Jack flag of 1620.
History the stamp represents:
The Pilgrims left England due to disagreements with the Church of England. They sailed to Holland, and stayed there for a time. Eventually, they were persecuted for their faith in this new country as well. The Pilgrims believed they had no choice but to go to the New World and start fresh. After a number of delays, they finally began their journey across the Atlantic on September 6, 1620. This was a particularly dangerous time to sail. It was known to be the season for strong western gales in the North Atlantic.
The Pilgrims sailed Mayflower through several horrific storms on their journey, including one that almost destroyed the main beam of the ship. Luckily, they managed to stabilize the ship, and Mayflower was able to continue sailing. The Pilgrims' determination and dream of living a life of religious freedom allowed them to overcome dire odds and finally reach America.
The Pilgrims sailed Mayflower through several horrific storms on their journey, including one that almost destroyed the main beam of the ship. Luckily, they managed to stabilize the ship, and Mayflower was able to continue sailing. The Pilgrims' determination and dream of living a life of religious freedom allowed them to overcome dire odds and finally reach America.
Other stamps honoring the Pilgrims’ arrival in the New World:
The U.S. Postal Service has commemorated the historic event twice before.
#548-50 were issued in 1920 to honor the 300th anniversary (Tercentenary) of the Pilgrims’ arrival. #548 pictures the Mayflower, #549 the actual landing, and #550 the signing of the Mayflower Compact. The Compact was an agreement forged by the newcomers. It created a foundation for self-government in the colony based on majority rule.
Interestingly, #548-50 are the only US postage stamps without a country designation.
In 1970, US #1420 Landing of the Pilgrims, showed Mayflower in the background, and Pilgrims in the foreground. This stamp was issued for the 350th anniversary.
Frequently Asked Questions
How it works?
A Forever® stamp is for sending domestic mail weighing up to 1 oz via First-Class Mail®.
Purpose: Send letters and cards up to 1 oz (approximately 4 sheets of regular, 8-1/2" x 11" paper in a rectangular envelope)
within the U.S., including U.S. territories and military bases overseas.
Value: Always valid for the First-Class Mail 1 oz rate, even if postage rates increase. Visit First-Class Mail and Postage to view
current rates.
Other Uses: Pair this stamp’s value with other postage to meet mailing costs when additional postage is required.
Use the Retail Postage Calculator to determine the exact cost of your mail.
Why is "FOREVER" crossed out in the image?
When you see "FOREVER" crossed out, it's just an anti-counterfeiting treatment we added to the official website, brochures or e-commerce display images to prevent others from directly downloading high-definition images and then printing them as fake stamps. We call this practice digital masking; the actual purchased physical Forever Stamp, FOREVER, will not have the streaks on it.
So the lines in your picture:
Note: If the physical stamp you receive actually has this crossed line printed on it, be cautious. It may be a display sample, a replica or a fake stamp, rather than a normal usable stamp.
So the lines in your picture:
- It does not mean that the stamp has expired;
- It does not mean that you cannot continue to use it;
- Nor a postmark;
- It's just an artificial anti-copying line added to the display image.
Note: If the physical stamp you receive actually has this crossed line printed on it, be cautious. It may be a display sample, a replica or a fake stamp, rather than a normal usable stamp.
What are the common types of stamps, and how do they differ?
U.S. postage stamps are primarily categorized based on their intended use, postage class, and issuance theme. Common types include:
It is important to note that a stamp's theme and its postage class can overlap; for example, a holiday-themed stamp might also be a Forever Stamp. When purchasing, check for markings such as FOREVER, GLOBAL, POSTCARD, ADDITIONAL OUNCE, or a specific face value to confirm the stamp's intended use.
- Forever Stamp: Valid for standard domestic letters within the U.S. These stamps typically do not bear a fixed face value; they remain valid for mailing a standard one-ounce letter at the current rate, even if postage prices increase in the future.
- Global Forever Stamp: Primarily used for standard international letters or postcards sent from the U.S. to other countries. The main difference between this and a standard Forever Stamp lies in its scope of use and postage value.
- Postcard Stamp: Designed specifically for domestic postcards that meet USPS size standards; the postage rate is typically lower than that for standard letters.
- Additional Ounce Stamp: Used to cover the cost of weight exceeding the first ounce; these are usually used in conjunction with a Forever Stamp or other stamps.
- Two-Ounce and Three-Ounce Stamps: Suitable for heavier letters, greeting cards, wedding invitations, or multi-page documents, eliminating the need to combine multiple stamps to cover the required postage.
- Fixed-Value Stamps: These stamps display a specific monetary value (e.g., 1¢, 5¢, or other amounts) and are primarily used to make up postage differences or in combination with other stamps.
- Commemorative and Thematic Stamps: Typically issued to mark historical events, cultural or artistic themes, holidays, notable figures, animals, or natural landscapes. While suitable for regular mail, these stamps are also popular among collectors due to their unique designs and limited release periods.
It is important to note that a stamp's theme and its postage class can overlap; for example, a holiday-themed stamp might also be a Forever Stamp. When purchasing, check for markings such as FOREVER, GLOBAL, POSTCARD, ADDITIONAL OUNCE, or a specific face value to confirm the stamp's intended use.
Why choose StampResale.com?
StampResale specializes in the sale and collection services of authentic U.S. postage stamps, maintaining long-standing partnerships with professional philatelic platforms. All stamps we offer are sourced from authorized channels with verified provenance; we also support authenticity verification, ensuring you can purchase with complete confidence.
We also frequently offer limited-time discounts, bundle deals, and exclusive promotions, providing you with a wider selection and greater value while guaranteeing the authenticity and quality of our stamps.
- At StampResale, you will find a diverse range of U.S. stamps—including classic Forever Stamps, holiday-themed issues, commemorative stamps, and specialty collections—catering to needs ranging from everyday mailing and gift-giving to serious collecting.
We also frequently offer limited-time discounts, bundle deals, and exclusive promotions, providing you with a wider selection and greater value while guaranteeing the authenticity and quality of our stamps.
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