The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) unveiled the 1794 Compass Rose Global Forever Stamp at the Southeastern Stamp Expo in Peachtree Corners, Georgia. The stamp features a vibrant depiction of an 18th-century compass rose and serves as a tribute to historical cartography.
Stamp enthusiasts at the expo had the opportunity to purchase the stamp and secure a commemorative first-day-of-issue postmark. Customers and collectors unable to attend can still obtain the stamps and postmarks from the Peachtree Corners Post Office. The Compass Rose stamps are also available at Post Office locations nationwide and online at the Postal Store.
The stamp’s design showcases a compass rose, a circular figure on maps that helps users orient themselves by indicating north and other compass directions. Originating in the 1300s, the compass rose was historically used to mark the eight principal winds. Today, compass roses often depict the four cardinal directions (north, south, east, west) and intercardinal directions (northeast, southeast, northwest, southwest).
Elaborate compass roses, like the one featured on the stamp, also include directions for half-winds and quarter-winds. The term “compass rose” derives from the resemblance of the directional points to rose petals.
The stamp’s design is based on a 32-point compass rose drawn in 1794 by 10-year-old Lucia Wadsworth, niece of poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. The artwork, part of the Collections of the Maine Historical Society, was created in Wadsworth’s school geography notebook. The design is brought to life with bright blue, red, yellow, and green directional points against a beige background.
The stamp pane contains 10 round stamps arranged in two horizontal rows of five. The edge text includes “Global” in red and “USA,” “Forever,” and “2025” in green lettering. USPS art director Greg Breeding designed the stamp.
As a Global Forever stamp, the 1794 Compass Rose can be used to mail a 1-ounce letter to any country where First-Class Mail International service is available. Like other Global Forever stamps, its value will always match the current First-Class Mail International 1-ounce rate.
Stamp enthusiasts can join the conversation and share their excitement using the hashtag #1794CompassRoseStamp.
