# 4898-4905b - 2014 First-Class Forever Stamp - Imperforate Vintage Circus Posters

U.S. #4898-4905b

2014 49¢ Vintage Circus Posters Imperforate

Set of 8

This set of eight different designs recalls the days of traveling circuses. The stamps are arranged horizontally and vertically. The large horizontal stamps measure 2” X 1.46” and the smaller vertical ones are 1.12” X 1.46”.

Menageries of exotic wild animals and fairs showcasing death-defying stunts have entertained people worldwide for centuries. In the mid-18th century, these elements began to merge when roughrider Sergeant Philip Astley decided to earn money through trick horseback-riding exhibitions. The modern circus was born.

Performed in a ring, Astley’s show quickly caught on throughout Europe. By 1793, the first of its kind had crossed the Atlantic. Early American shows also focused on equestrian stunts adding music, juggling, tightrope walking, and other acrobatic acts. Dressed in traditional riding gear at the center of the action was the ringmaster, a figure still used today. The ringmaster kept the horses on task and managed the spectacle.   

In the early 1800s, the introduction of an elephant to a New York circus sparked widespread interest in exotic animals. Foreign animals were incorporated into the show’s scheme, greatly expanding the overall size of the American circus extravaganza. 

By 1825, collapsible canvas tents and the advent of the railroad allowed the mammoth productions to travel more freely, bringing the circus to more places with larger audiences. Promoters needed a way to draw in the large crowds. Weeks in advance, so-called “advance men” traveled to show sites to plaster the town with bold and brightly colored advertising posters. This early “saturation advertising” heightened the anticipation of one of the greatest entertainment forms of its day.

The Vintage Circus Poster stamps were designed to look like circus posters of the 19th century. Some of these original posters were big enough to cover the side of a building and they advertised that the circus was coming to town.

49¢ Vintage Circus Posters, issued to satisfy the first-class mail rate

Issue Date: May 5, 2014

City: Sarasota, FL, at the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art

Category: Commemorative

Printed By: Banknote Corporation of America for Sennett Security Products

Printing Method: Lithographed, sheets of 96 with six panes of 16 per sheet

Perforations: Imperforate

Self-adhesive

Scarce Modern Imperforates

The modern imperforate stamps are one of the hottest stories around.  In 2012, the U.S. Postal Service released some issues as press sheets.  The sheets with die cut perforations were issued in limited quantities. 

To the surprise of many collectors, officials then issued a small number of press sheets without perforations.  The uncut sheets were only available in Kansas City, Missouri, yet most sold out immediately.  In an instant, the imperforate stamp sheets became modern rarities.  For example, only 75,000 Baseball All-Star se-tenant sheets were issued compared to 118,000 Bugs Bunny sheets with the 10th stamp imperforate.

In a controversial move, the editors of Scott Catalogue announced they would not list or give numbers to these stamps because they did not fit Scott guidelines.  This decision was strongly debated since the imperforate stamps are valid for postage.  They eventually decided to give the stamps minor numbers and have continued issuing imperforates in the years since.

Because they were issued in such limited quantities, these scarce modern imperforates can be difficult to find.  Luckily Mystic purchased a small number of each imperforate stamp issued so you can add these modern rarities to your collection.  Be one of the lucky few – order today.