M5304

Circus Posters

Al G. Barnes Wild Animal Circus Poster

Collins Cover Announcement

VINTAGE CIRCUS POSTERS

SET OF EIGHT

"THE GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH"

The Big Cats * The Ringmaster * The Big Top

The Acrobats * The Elephants * The Clowns 

The High Wire * The Roustabout and Circus Wagon

As the enclosed illustrations will confirm, I believe that the eight individually hand painted covers that comprise this set will be judged the absolute finest produced by any cachetmaker. By using a black background on these covers, the hand painted artwork has a stunning visual quality and, quite frankly, are among the nicest I've ever offered. The recently offered Harry Potter set is now sold out, so be sure to order these Circus beauties promptly. Don't miss out.

At a one-per-month shipping schedule, they are affordable for every hobby budget. There's no doubt these First Day Covers will be eagerly sought once I'm sold out. Each of the lovely new stamps is tied to the envelope with the Sarasota, Florida bullseye first day of issue postmark. I honestly can't wait until my Collins collectors see these covers in person. They are amazing.

When considering the cachet designs, I thought about the images that as a collective group would portray the world of the circus. I decided on the big cats and elephants. The ringmaster and the roustabout. The acrobats and the high-wire artist. The ever-present clowns. And the Big Top itself, the huge canvas circus tent that would travel to towns large and small across America. The Big-Top in which the ringmaster would loudly proclaim, "Ladies and Gentlemen, children of all ages, welcome to the Greatest Show on Earth!"

This truly incredible set of eight hand painted Collins First Day Covers is now ready. Vintage Circus Posters.

Winter 2023 Mail Sale 

Lot 32 M5301 to M5308 — The Circus — Eight cover set that is the finest group of Circus first day covers ever produced by any cachetmaker — 5/5/14

This set produced almost ten years ago is one of my all-time personal favorites. It is the first time this set, an immediate sell-out at the time, has been offered in my mail sales. "Come one — come all to the Greatest Show on Earth." The Big Top (M5301) pictures the circus tent as the spectacular show comes to town. 

Behind is a ferris wheel circling in the night sky. In the foreground a ticket booth dispenses admission to girls and boys of all ages. In fact, your tickets appear on each cachet at the lower right as they announce the cover subject. The next cover — the High Wire (M5302) shows a performer pedaling his bike on a wire stretched breath-takingly above the crowd. A long balance pole steadies his progress. The Ringmaster (M5303) is attired in a formal red coat and top hat. He carries a long megaphone to announce the acts as trapeze artists swing behind him "with the greatest of ease." The Roustabout (M5304) uses a sledgehammer to drive a tent stake. Behind him is a circus wagon used in the local parade to attract customers. The Acrobats (M5305) balance on large multi-colored balls while juggling. The Big Cats (M5306), pictured on illustration page one, shows a tiger jumping right at you through a fire-hoop while a lion waits to perform. This cachet has the "WOW" factor. The Elephants (M5307) have always been a large part of the "Greatest Show on Earth" but rightful concerns about humane treatment have brought that era to an end. This cover will give the magnificent elephant its place in circus history. Finally, the last cover, The Clowns (M5308) always worked the crowd throughout the show. Some people love clowns. Some people — not so much. But...without a doubt, clowns are an integral part of the circus experience. At some point, they will squeeze back into their circus clown car and-drive off into history, leaving only lingering memories of the Big Top and the Greatest Show on Earth.