Circus Wagon

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Circus Wagon 1900s 05USA Circus Wagon 1900s 05 USA Circus Wagon 1900s ( 0 SYRA 31 1990 CUSE ARACUSE AEIG 3220 Basil.

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CIRCUS WAGON First Day of Issue: August 31, 1990 First Issue Location: Syracuse, New York The beginnings of the circus in the United States were rather humble. A trick rider named John Bill Ricketts opened the first circus in North America in 1793, with shows in Philadelphia and New York City. A relatively short-lived affair, Ricketts lost his whole operation in a major fire. But his enterprise caught the eyes of other performers and the idea of the traveling circus evolved. The first such circuses in the United States were small by necessity, having to transport their cargo aboard wagons drawn by draft horses. For this reason, distance proved to be an obstacle — putting restraints on both the size and the scope of any circus operation. The circus wagons themselves greatly limited the size of the cargo which could be carried. But ever the showmen, these entrepre- neurs elaborately painted their wagons to attract attention and invite folks to see the show. Having a circus wagon train come to one's hometown was often the highlight of the entire year. No. 90-33 ©1990 The Maximum Card Collection A Division of Unicover Corporation . Cheyenne, WY 82008-0007 Original painting by Basil Smith