Date of Issue : 15 May 2007
Postmark : Launceston TAS 7250
Denomination : 5 x 50c
Stamp Size : 26 mm x 37.5 mm
Paper : Tullis Russell
Printing Process : Lithography
Circus in Australia is generally thought to have begun in the 1830s, as individual artists arrived in the colonies and presented their acts at public gatherings. Australia's first circus establishment, the Royal Amphitheatre, was opened in Launceston in 1847. By the 1950s circus was one of the most popular forms of entertainment in Australia. Over the years the shape of circus performances has remained much the same – a series of acts demonstrating skill and daring, linked by clowning and comedy acts. This set of colourful stamps issued by Australia Post features some of the circus performances in rather quirky illustrations – The Burning Bicycle, The Inside-out Man, The Dental Trapeze, The Banana Lady and The Human Cannonball.