I1401

Transportation

Popcorn Wagon 1902

Collins Cover Announcement 

POPCORN WAGON

Transportation Series

What a cover! Combining the "Greatest Show on Earth" (the circus) with one of the greatest snack foods on earth (popcorn).

The First Day cancel has to be "the best" obtained for this issue. Picking up the stamps in Chicago, it was on south to the unofficial Post Office of Cornland, Illinois. What a wonderful "real" Day of Issue cancel for a popcorn wagon stamp. In addition to a pair of the 16.7-cent stamps, I've added the Circus-Clown stamp (Scott #1309) which adds topical flair to this very colorful COLLINS.

And now to the hand-painted cachet. It is an early circus scene from around the turn of the century. Boys and girls flock to the big top. Past a circus wagon containing a pair of lions -- the King of the Jungle. Past a towering elephant with ivory tusks. Past a balloon vendor whose wares encompass every color of the rainbow. Past a perky clown greeting the new arrivals to the circus grounds. Right in the middle of this hub of activity is a bright red popcorn wagon ready to accommodate the excited girls and boys of all ages. The huge canvass tents beckon in the background waiting to bestow their magic within on the gathering crowds. The hand painting time required for this delightful cover is staggering.

A pair of the Popcorn stamps, the 1966 Clown stamp, the happytime circus cachet and the philatelic equivalent of the featured act in the center ring - Cornland, Illinois. Item #11401 $8.00