Maine on postage stamps is the study of several postal issues of the United States Postal Service and other postal services that feature the subject of Maine.
The state's scenic beauty, flora and fauna, lighthouses, and state symbols have long made interesting topics for postage stamps.
1934 The National Parks issues of 1934 included a seven-cent stamp depicting Acadia National Park. Its first day of issue was 2 October 1934 in Bar Harbor.
1957 A three-cent stamp issued in 1957 celebrated the 350th anniversary of America’s commercial shipbuilding industry, which began at Popham Colony, Maine. Its first day of issue was 15 August 1957 in Bath.[1]
1969 A six-cent Christmas stamp in 1969 featured the painting Winter Sunday in Norway, Maine, by an unknown artist. Its first day of issue was 3 November 1969 in Christmas, Florida.
1970 In 1970, a six-cent stamp was issued to commemorate the Sesquicentennial, the 150th anniversary of Maine's statehood. It features the painting The Lighthouse at Two Lights, Maine by Edward Hopper, which features the Portland Head Light at Cape Elizabeth. Its first day of issue was 9 July 1970 in Portland.
1976 Maine's State Flag was featured on a thirteen-cent stamp, part of a 50-stamp set issued for the Bicentennial in 1976. Its first day of issue was 23 February 1976 in Washington, DC.[2]
1981 In 1981, an eighteen-cent definitive again showed the Portland Head Light. Its first day of issue was 24 April 1981 in Portland.
1982 The state birds and flowers issue of 1982 depicted Maine's symbols, the Chickadee and the White Pine Cone and Tassel. Its first day of issue was 14 April 1982 in Washington, DC.
1990 The West Quoddy Head Light in Lubec was featured on a twenty-five-cent stamp as part of a set of five East Coast Lighthouses stamps. Its first day of issue was 26 April 1990 in Washington, DC.[3]
2001 A 60¢ airmail stamp again featured Acadia National Park as part of the Scenic American Landscapes series. Its first day of issue was 30 May 2001, in Bar Harbor.[4]
2002 The Greetings from America set of 2002 included a 34¢ stamp depicting a moose in front of the Portland Head Light. Its first day of issue was 4 April 2002 in New York City.
2002 When the postage rate changed shortly after its issue, the Greetings from America set was reissued with a new 37¢ denomination. Its first day of issue was 25 October 2002 in New York City.
2009 The Flags of our Nation set again featured the State Flag, this time with a moose on a 44-cent stamp. Its first day of issue was 6 August 2009 in Washington DC.
2013 A Forever stamp in the Modern Art in America set reproduces a painting by John Marin titled Sunset, Maine Coast. Its first day of issue was 7 March 2013 in New York City.[5]
2013 A 46-cent stamp in the New England Coastal Lighthouses set features the Portland Head Light. Its first day of issue was 13 July 2013 in Boston, MA, New Castle, NH, Portland, ME, Narragansett, RI, and New London, CT.
2016 In 2016, a Forever stamp was issued to honor the centennial of Maine's most famous national park, Acadia National Park. Its first day of issue was 2 June 2016 in New York City.[6]
Other Countries[]
Antigua & Barbuda In 1991, a stamp in the Cog Railways of the World set featured the defunct Green Mountain Cog Railway on Mount Desert Island, now part of Acadia National Park.
Guinea Bissau A 2015 souvenir sheet of four lighthouse stamps contained one that featured the West Quoddy Head Light.
Niger One stamp from a 2015 souvenir sheet of four lighthouse stamps featured the Portland Head Light.