People line up to buy stamps after the dedication of the U.S. Postal Service's new Henry David Thoreau postage stamp, Tuesday, May 23, 2017, at Walden Pond in Concord, Mass. where the 19th century American philosopher and naturalist spent two years in solitude and reflection. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
The Associated Press
CONCORD, Mass. (AP) - The U.S. Postal Service has dedicated its new Henry David Thoreau postage stamp at a ceremony at Walden Pond, where the 19th century American philosopher and naturalist spent two years in solitude and reflection.
The ceremony took place Tuesday in Concord, Massachusetts. Actor and environmentalist Ed Begley Jr., a board member of the Walden Woods Project, was among those who attended.
Thoreau is the writer of the memoir "Walden" and the essay "Civil Disobedience." He was honored on the bicentennial year of his birth. The postal service says Thoreau's way of living simply and rejecting materialism continues to inspire people.
The stamp image comes from an oil-on-panel painting of Thoreau's face based on an 1856 daguerreotype by Benjamin Maxham. It also includes his signature and a branch of sumac leaves.
Actor and environmentalist Ed Begley Jr., a board member of the Walden Woods Project, applauds during the dedication of the U.S. Postal Service's new Henry David Thoreau postage stamp, Tuesday, May 23, 2017, at Walden Pond in Concord, Mass. where the 19th century American philosopher and naturalist spent two years in solitude and reflection. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
The Associated Press
A woman sits on a blanket at Walden Pond after the dedication of the U.S. Postal Service's new Henry David Thoreau postage stamp, Tuesday, May 23, 2017, in Concord, Mass. where the 19th century American philosopher and naturalist spent two years in solitude and reflection. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
The Associated Press
Mark Thoreau, of London, a descendant of 19th century American philosopher and naturalist Henry David Thoreau, visits the area at Walden Pond, Tuesday, May 23, 2017, in Concord, Mass., where Thoreau spent two years in solitude and reflection. The U.S. Postal Service has dedicated a new Henry David Thoreau postage stamp in honor of the bicentennial year of his birth. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
The Associated Press
U.S. Postal Service worker Dianne Zambelli places a sleeve of newly dedicated Henry David Thoreau postage stamps for purchase in a bag, Tuesday, May 23, 2017, at Walden Pond in Concord, Mass. where the 19th century American philosopher and naturalist spent two years in solitude and reflection. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
The Associated Press