250th Anniversary of the US Declaration of Independence
Issue date: 4th July 2026
Souvenir Sheet (2 x £2.50) and First Day Cover
Tristan da Cunha has chosen to mark the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence with the release of a souvenir sheet commemorating American Independence Day.
The issue features the Statue of Liberty set against a background of the Declaration of Independence. Alongside this iconic symbol of the United States is a design depicting one of Tristan da Cunha's most remarkable historical connections with America – the rescue of the crew of the American sailing vessel Mabel Clark, an act of bravery that later earned the Islanders the thanks and gifts of the President of the United States.
The Declaration of Independence was adopted on the 4th July 1776 by the Second Continental Congress in Philadelphia. Drafted primarily by Thomas Jefferson, it announced the thirteen American colonies' formal separation from Great Britain and asserted the principles of equality and the rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Its influence has extended far beyond the United States, inspiring democratic movements around the world.
Less well known is the remarkable story of the wreck of the Mabel Clark. The newly built American ship-rigged sailing vessel was under the command of Captain Oscar Sheldon, who was travelling south with his wife and young daughter. On 1 May 1878, at around 2 a.m., the vessel foundered on the rocks off Tristan da Cunha in thick fog and rough seas. The lifeboats were soon washed away, and the ship began to break apart.
At daybreak, the Islanders spotted the wreck and gathered on the shore with ropes, tea and brandy. Although the heavy seas initially prevented any rescue attempt, Islanders repeatedly risked their lives by swimming out through the surf with ropes tied around their waists to assist those who attempted to reach land. Others remained lashed to the mast and rigging for some 37 hours before the storm finally eased sufficiently for them to be rescued.
The survivors were cared for by the Islanders until they were able to leave the island aboard various vessels between June and October 1878. One crew member chose to remain on Tristan and later married into the community.
Dispatches sent home by Captain Sheldon and his First Mate praised the hospitality and heroism of the Tristan Islanders. In recognition of their actions, the American Legation in London sent an inscribed gold chronometer and chain for Chief Islander Peter Green, a binocular glass, and £40 in gold to be distributed at the discretion of the next British naval commander to visit the island.
These gifts were formally presented by Captain James East of HMS Comus during a visit on 6 February 1880. Reporting on the occasion, he noted that the Islanders were deeply appreciative of the President's generosity. He wrote: "The Islanders, headed by Peter Green their Headman, received us very cordially ... I gave them the presents sent by the President of the United States in acknowledgement of the services rendered by them to the crew of the Mabel Clark in 1878, for which they desire me to express their sincere thanks."
The rescue of the Mabel Clark remains one of Tristan da Cunha's most celebrated maritime stories and a lasting symbol of friendship between the island community and the United States.
Description of the Stamps
£2.50 (left) - The Statue of Liberty in New York Harbour, set against a background showing the Declaration of Independence document.
£2.50 (right) - The wreck of the Mabel Clark and the gold chronometer given by the US President to Tristan in thanks for the rescue of the crew.
First day cover - The Liberty Bell, Philadelphia - symbolic of the Declaration of Independence.
Technical Specifications
| Designer: | Andrew Robinson | Printer: | Cartor |
| Stamp size: | 42 x 28mm | Souvenir sheet size: | 109 x 73mm |
| Perforation: | 14½ x 14¼ per 2cms | Process: | Stochastic lithography |
| Production Co-ordination: | Creative Direction (Worldwide) Ltd | ||