Life of Inventor John Harrison commemorated in new stamp collection
Isle of Man Post Office is delighted to celebrate the extraordinary life and achievements of John Harrison through this special stamp issue. Harrison’s pioneering work in precision timekeeping and the development of the marine chronometer transformed maritime life and trade on the Isle of Man, revolutionising the Island’s place in the wider world.
The collection has been curated alongside Island resident and distinguished horologist Dr John C Taylor OBE, recipient of the prestigious Harrison Medal for his contribution to the understanding of clockmaking and horology. Dr Taylor was educated at King William’s College before later returning to make the Island his home, where he has lived for many years. He is Patron of Clocktime, a charity promoting horology and British clock and watchmakers at www.clocktime.co.uk.
John Harrison (1693-1776) was one of Britain's greatest inventors and among the most important figures in the history of navigation. Born in Yorkshire, he was a self-taught carpenter and clockmaker whose extraordinary skill, determination and creativity enabled him to solve one of the greatest scientific challenges of the 18th century: how to determine longitude accurately at sea.
At a time when ships could calculate latitude relatively easily but struggled to establish their longitudinal, east-west position, error in navigation could lead to ships becoming lost, running aground or suffering disastrous accidents. Governments, scientists and sailors searched for a reliable solution, knowing that accurate navigation would save lives, protect cargoes and strengthen national maritime power.
When Harrison created his series of groundbreaking marine chronometers (small sea-going clocks) during the 18th century, it utterly transformed navigation. This stamp issue commemorates the 250th anniversary of Harrison's death and explores key aspects of his life, work and legacy, from his early wooden clocks to his marine timekeepers that changed the world.
We are delighted to offer collectors the rare opportunity to purchase an example of British horological history through the release of The Horologist Collection. Combining the signatures of two of Britain’s most admired living horologists, Dr John C Taylor OBE and Roger W. Smith OBE. This special release is limited to just 100 examples worldwide and celebrates the evolution of British horology and engineering.
Stamp 1, 17th Century French Cannon: This 17th century French cannon that was captured by the Royal Navy from the French fleet at the Battle of Vigo Bay in 1702 and was aboard HMS Association when it shipwrecked off the Isles of Scilly in 1707, in one of the worst disasters in the British naval history. The wreck, in which around 2000 souls perished, contributed to the increasingly urgent need for accurate methods of determining longitude at sea.
Stamp 2, John Harrison (1693 - 1776): John Harrison was a self-taught English carpenter, clockmaker and inventor whose revolutionary timekeepers transformed navigation. Born in Yorkshire, he displayed exceptional mechanical talent from an early age and devoted much of his life to solving the longitude problem.
Stamp 3, Harrison's H1 - The First Sea Clock: This stamp features Harrison's H1 marine timekeeper, completed in 1735. In 1714, the British Parliament established the Longitude Prize to encourage a solution to the longitude problem, and H1 was Harrison's first response to that challenge. Designed specifically for use aboard a moving ship, it demonstrated that precise timekeeping could be maintained at sea and proved that a clock-based solution to longitude was achievable.
Stamp 4, Replica Harrison Wooden Clock, 1713: This replica wooden clock represents one of Harrison's earliest surviving achievements as a clockmaker. Built largely from oak and other native timbers, it reflects the traditions of rural English craftsmanship during the early 18th century.
Stamp 5, Harrison's Wooden Regulator, Dated 1726: This highly accurate regulator clock illustrates Harrison's continuing quest for precision. During the 18th century, accurate clocks were essential for astronomy, navigation and scientific research, and Harrison constantly strove to improve their performance.
Stamp 6, Terrestrial Table Globe, c.1640: The terrestrial globe symbolises the wider geographical and navigational challenges of Harrison's age. By the 17th and 18th centuries, sailors could determine latitude with reasonable accuracy using observations of the sun and stars, but longitude remained notoriously difficult to calculate. Harrison’s timekeepers provided the breakthrough that navigators had long sought.
Discussing the collection, Dr John C Taylor OBE remarks: “Few individuals have altered the course of history through such focused, dogged determination as John Harrison. By harnessing the power of precise timekeeping, he unlocked the oceans and helped connect the world. Two hundred and fifty years on, his enduring legacy reminds us how ingenuity, patience and craftsmanship can change the future.”
Maxine Cannon, General Manager, Isle of Man Stamps & Coins comments: John Harrison’s remarkable inventions transformed navigation making it possible for sailors to determine longitude and helping to make ocean travel safer. As an Island nation with a proud maritime heritage the Isle of Man has a particular connection to this story. It has been a privilege to work with Dr John C Taylor OBE in studying Harrison’s life and achievements through this special set of six stamps, celebrating an invention that changed navigation forever.
Released on 20th September 2026, the John Harrison Life & Inventions issue is available online at iomstamps.com/collections/JohnHarrison. The collection includes a Set, First Day Cover, Presentation Pack, Prestige Booklet and Booklet Pane
-Ends-
Technical DetailsImagery: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London, Dr John C Taylor OBE & Mr Matthew King, Time Traveller Clocks LtdText: Dr John C Taylor OBE Design: Isle of Man Advertising Printer: bpost Process: Offset Lithography Colours: 4 Paper: Tullis Russell Tru White Litho FSC Perforations: 11.5 per 2cm Stamp Size: 40mm x 40mm Format: Sheets of 16 Date of Issue: 20th September 2026 Limited Editions: Presentation Packs 1,000; First Day Covers 1,500
Notes to editor
Dr John C Taylor OBE FREng (born 1936) is a British inventor, entrepreneur, philanthropist and horologist. Educated at King William’s College on the Isle of Man and the University of Cambridge, he developed thermostat technology used in billions of electric kettles and household appliances worldwide. He later founded Strix, whose innovations earned four Queen’s Awards. An internationally recognised authority on the eighteenth-century clockmaker John Harrison, Dr Taylor's research and support have helped advance the understanding of Harrison’s achievements. He is also the creator of the Corpus Chronophage clock at Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, and a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering. He established the Clocktime Digital Museum at www.clocktime.co.uk, where he is Patron.
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Product Descriptions
Mint Set
One of each stamp supplied in pristine condition.
First Day Cover
A specially designed envelope on which a full set of stamps are affixed and cancelled on the first day of issue featuring a special postmark.
Presentation Pack
A folder containing a set of stamps inserted within a clear acetate mounted black card.
Prestige Booklet
A standout collector’s item featuring 28 pages of extended essays and imagery studying the life of John Harrison by Dr John C Taylor OBE. A fascinating publication for any horologist or fan of maritime history. Contains two full mint sets of stamps bound within the booklet.
Booklet Pane
A sheet of 6 John Harrison Life & Inventions stamps as featured within the Prestige Booklet.
The Horologist Collection
Limited to just 100 examples worldwide, this special release offers a First Day Cover hand signed by both Dr John C Taylor OBE and Roger W. Smith OBE, two of Britain’s most admired living horologists. Combined with a Prestige Booklet, this rare collectable is a piece of British watchmaking history.
The full range of products from this collection can be viewed at iompost.com/collections/JohnHarrison
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