Object Details
Description
The Postal Service commemorated the 200th anniversary of the first circus performance in America with a block of four 29-cent commemorative stamps, issued on April 6, 1993, in Washington, DC. The stamps capture the fun and excitement of the circus with a colorful se-tenant design featuring a clown, ringmaster, elephant, and aerialist.
The first circus performance in America occurred on April 3, 1793. The show, brought to Philadelphia by John Bill Ricketts, an English circus owner, included equestrian acts, ropewalkers, acrobats, and clowns.
Designed by Steve McCracken of Washington, DC, the stamps were printed in the offset process by Ashton-Potter America and issued in blocks of four and sheets of forty.
Reference:
Postal Bulletin (March 18, 1993).
mint
Credit line
Copyright United States Postal Service. All rights reserved.
Date
April 6, 1993
Object number
1994.2073.263.11.1
Type
Postage Stamps
Medium
paper; ink (multicolored)/ lithographed
Place
United States of America
See more items in
National Postal Museum Collection
Data Source
National Postal Museum
Topic
Contemporary (1990-present)
Stars of Stage & Screen
Family & Children
U.S. Stamps
Link to Original Record
Record ID
npm_1994.2073.263.11.1