This 2026 Isle of Man stamp issue commemorates the 250th anniversary of the death of John Harrison (1693-1776), the self-taught Yorkshire carpenter and clockmaker whose extraordinary inventions transformed navigation. Curated in partnership with inventor and horologist Dr John C Taylor OBE, the six stamps explore key moments in Harrison’s life and work, from his early wooden clocks to the marine timekeepers that solved one of the greatest scientific challenges of the 18th century.
The designs feature a 17th century French cannon linked to the 1707 wreck of HMS Association, a portrait of Harrison, his H1 marine timekeeper, a replica of his 1713 wooden clock, his 1726 wooden regulator and a terrestrial table globe dating from around 1640. Together, they tell the story of his pursuit of precision and his determination to establish longitude accurately at sea.
Harrison’s work made long-distance maritime travel safer and more reliable, helping support global trade, exploration and communication. The issue explores his pioneering work and successive marine timekeepers.
