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.
