Rumored for awhile, Linn’s Stamp News now reports these 8 stamps will be issued May 5 at a Ringling Brothers-Barnum & Bailey Circus facility in Sarasota, Fla. VSC does not have independent confirmation, but Jay Bigalke of Linn’s is usually right. Neither Linn’s nor we have an illustration at this time. (April 10).

This issue was confirmed in the April 17th Postal Bulletin, and some details (but just one stamp’s design) provided: We picked up a second later that day, but www.linns.com has all 8.

On May 5, 2014, in Sarasota, FL, the U.S. Postal Service will issue Vintage Circus Posters Commemorative stamps, in eight designs, in a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) pane of 16 stamps (Item 472100).

The stamps will go on sale nationwide May 5, 2014.

With this issuance the U.S. Postal Service celebrates the large, colorful pieces of early 20th-century circus poster art that showcased eye-catching imagery of stunts, performers, and animals. This pane of 16 self-adhesive stamps features reproductions of eight vintage circus posters; each stamp features one poster. The pane’s verso text includes a brief discussion of the history and purpose of circus posters. The selvage features an image of a circus entrance shot by photographer Edward J. Kelty in 1937. Art director Greg Breeding worked on the stamp pane with designer Jennifer Arnold.

How to Order the First-Day-of-Issue Postmark:
Customers have 60 days to obtain the first-day-of-issue postmark by mail. They may purchase new stamps at their local Post Office, at The Postal Store website at www.usps.com/shop, or by calling 800-STAMP-24. They should affix the stamps to envelopes of their choice, address the envelopes (to themselves or others), and place them in a larger envelope addressed to:

Vintage Circus Posters
Postmaster
1661 Ringling Boulevard
Sarasota, FL 34230-9998

After applying the first-day-of-issue postmark, the Postal Service will return the envelopes through the mail. There is no charge for the postmark up to a quantity of 50. For more than 50, customers have to pay five cents each. All orders must be postmarked by July 4, 2014.

(The USPS is also allowing post offices to use this special cancellation, if they so choose:)

There are eleven philatelic products available for this stamp issue:

• 472106, Press sheet w/Die Cuts, $47.04 (print quantity of 2,500).
• 472108, Press Sheet w/o Die Cuts, $47.04 (print quantity of 2,500).
• 472110, Keepsake (Pane of 16, 1 random single Digital Color Postmark), $9.95.
• 472116, First-Day Cover (set of 8), $7.44.
• 472118, Full Pane First-Day Cover, $10.34.
• 472119, Cancelled Full Pane, $10.34.
• 472121, Digital Color Postmark (set of 8), $13.12.
• 472124, Framed Art, $39.95.
• 472130, Ceremony Program random single, $6.95.
• 472131, Stamp Deck Card random single, $0.95.
• 472132, Stamp Deck Card with Digital Color Postmark, $1.99.

Technical Specifications:
Issue: Vintage Circus Posters Stamps
Item Number: 472100
Denomination & Type of Issue: First-Class Mail Forever Commemerative
Format: Pane of 16 (8 designs)
Series: N/A
Issue Date & City: May 5, 2014, Sarasota, FL 34230
Designer: Jennifer Arnold, Washington, DC
Art Director: Greg Breeding, Charlottesville, VA
Typographer: Jennifer Arnold, Washington, DC
Engraver: N/A
Modeler: Donald Woo
Manufacturing Process: Offset Microprint “USPS”
Printer: Banknote Corporation of America
Printed at: Browns Summit, NC
Press Type: Alprinta 74
Stamps per Pane: 16
Print Quantity: 60 million stamps
Paper Type: Overall Phosphor Tagged
Adhesive Type: Pressure-sensitive adhesive
Processed at: Banknote Corporation of America, Browns Summit SC
Colors: Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black
Stamp Orientation: Horizontal and Vertical
Image Area (w x h): 1.85 x 1.32 in./46.95 x 33.56 mm
Image Area (w x h): 0.98 x 1.32 in./24.91 x 33.56 mm
Overall Size (w x h): 2.00 x 1.46 in./50.76 x 37.11 mm
Overall Size (w x h): 1.12 x 1.46 in./28.47 x 37.11 mm
Full Pane Size (w x h): 7.75 x 9.25 in./196.85 x234.95 mm
Press Sheets Size (w x h): 23.5 x 18.63 in
Plate Size: 96 stamps per revolution
Marginal Markings:
Back: © 2014 USPS • USPS logo • Plate position diagram • Barcode (472100) lower left corner of pane • Promotional text • Verso Text

USPS Media Advisory, April 17th:

U.S. Postal Service is Bringing Wonder and Amusement to Town with New Limited-Edition Vintage Circus Posters Forever® Stamps

Stamps Featuring Clowns, Wire Dancers and Other Amazing Circus Acts to be Unveiled led by Ringling Bros. Ringmaster and Clowns

WHAT: Ladies and Gentlemen, Children of all Ages… Step right up and share the magic of the circus as the United States Postal Service releases the new, limited-edition Vintage Circus Posters Forever® stamps. Since the early 20th century, the circus has brought together Americans of all ages and walks of life to watch the amazing acts and let imaginations soar.

Back in the day, companies like the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey would use posters with eye-catching imagery of stunts, performers, and animals as a vehicle to attract people to come watch the circus. And, now, the United States Postal Service is paying tribute to the history of these vintage works of art. These eight stamps were inspired by original circus posters which are now part of the Tibbals Digital Collection at The Ringling Museum.

The interactive first-day-of-issue ceremony will feature a Ringling Bros. ringmaster, clowns, as well as a concert by the Ringling Bros. bell wagon, which will be the first time it has been seen, or heard, in Sarasota in 30 years. The event is free and open to the public.

WHO: Ellen Williams, Member, Board of Governors, U.S. Postal Service
Nicole Feld, Executive Vice President, Feld Entertainment
Steven High, Executive Director, The Ringling Museum
Ringling Bros. Ringmaster and Clowns

WHEN: 11 a.m. EST, Monday, May 5, 2014

WHERE: The Ringling Museum – Ca’ d’Zan 5401 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota, FL 34243

*Parking available at the parking lot near the Ca’ d’Zan

BACKGROUND:
The U.S. Postal Service honors the “Best of America” by introducing limited-edition stamps that celebrate various American passions, including the circus. The Vintage Circus Posters Forever® stamps pay tribute to the wonder and amusement of the circus which Americans have been celebrating since the early 20th century.

The new limited-edition stamps, designed by Jennifer Arnold, celebrate the eye-catching pieces of art used in the early 20th century to announce when the circus was coming to town, giving audiences a taste of what awaited under the big top. The design for each of the eight (8) stamps is modeled off of unique posters which were used in the early 20th century as informational advertisements to garner excitement and attendance for the circus. These stamps showcase majestic elephants, fierce tigers and colorful clowns, in addition to the iconic acts such as acrobatic gymnasts, graceful wire dancers and daring stuntmen. These posters are now part of the Tibbals Digital Collection at the Ringling Museum.

Here’s the complete front of the pane: