CIRCUS
9TH APRIL 2002
This year's theme for Europa stamps, chosen by the Posteurop organisation, is Circus. Five colourful stamps on this theme will be released on 9th April 2002. They depict: 2nd class (19p) Slack Wire Act; 1st class (27p) Lion Tamer; E rate (37p) Trick Tri-cyclists; 45p Krazy Kar; and 65p The Equestrienne.
During a trip to Suffolk, Barry Robinson, Royal Mail's Stamp Programme Director, spotted a circus automata in a craft shop. The circus contained a total of 11 acts on a moving circular base. Barry tracked down its creator, Ron Fuller, and selected five of the acts to put to the Stamp Advisory Committee as potential stamp images. The intention was to photograph the models for the stamps, but the SAC was so impressed by the watercolours Mr Fuller submitted as a guide that they adopted them on the spot.
CANCELLATIONS
[1] Mystery Cancel [CDS] ..................................... Price £ 12.50
[2] Mystery Cancel [CDS] ..................................... Price £ 12.50
[3] Big Top [CDS] ..................................... Price £ 11.00
[4] Clowne [CDS] ..................................... Price £ 11.00
[5] Whitehorse Road [CDS] ..................................... Price £ 10.00
[6] The Harlequin [CDS] ..................................... Price £ 10.00
[7] Mystery Cancel [CDS]
+ Connected [METER MARK] ... Price £ 25.00
[8] Mystery Cancel [CDS]
+ Connected [METER MARK] ... Price £ 25.00
[9] Big Top [CDS]
+ Connected [METER MARK] ... Price £ 21.50
[10] Clowne [CDS]
+ Connected [METER MARK] ... Price £ 21.50
[11] Whitehorse Road [CDS]
+ Connected [METER MARK] ... Price £ 19.50
[12] The Harlequin [CDS]
+ Connected [METER MARK] ... Price £ 19.50
CONNECTIONS
(i) Mystery Cancel - Excellent circus connection to all stamps.
(ii) Mystery Cancel - Another excellent circus connection.
(iii) Big Top - Another name for the circus.
(iv) Clowne - The mainstay of the circus.
(v) Whitehorse Road - A White horse features prominently on the 65p stamp.
(vi) The Harlequin - Synonymous with clowns.
