In 1993 the United States Postal Service issued 4 stamps commemorating the American Circus. Jim Ragona the Ringmaster, one of the clowns, who I feel bad I don't remember his name, King Tusk, and Fatima were asked to be the models for the artist. My picture with the tiger King is in the US Postal Service book that they sell every year to keep the new stamps in. Fatima was a high wire walker but very athletic and versed in other circus acts. The company hired to design the stamps picked who they wanted to us from head shot's. When Fatima was chosen, some folks were upset because she was from Russia(they forgot Regan trashed the wall) and shouldn't be on an American stamp. Her response in broken English, "It's ok, I am a high wire artist and not a trapeze artist, so it is already broken crooked. The powers that be on Ringling said, "it's the circus nobody will care. It was an incredible promotion for Ringling that year, and every opening night the Postal Service from that city was there to hand cancel with the King Tusk stamp commemorative envelopes.
In 1993 the United States Postal Service issued 4 stamps commemorating the American Circus. Jim Ragona the Ringmaster, one of the clowns, who I feel bad I don't remember his name, King Tusk, and Fatima were asked to be the models for the artist. My picture with the tiger King is in the US Postal Service book that they sell every year to keep the new stamps in. Fatima was a high wire walker but very athletic and versed in other circus acts. The company hired to design the stamps picked who they wanted to us from head shot's. When Fatima was chosen, some folks were upset because she was from Russia(they forgot Regan trashed the wall) and shouldn't be on an American stamp. Her response in broken English, "It's ok, I am a high wire artist and not a trapeze artist, so it is already broken crooked. The powers that be on Ringling said, "it's the circus nobody will care. It was an incredible promotion for Ringling that year, and every opening night the Postal Service from that city was there to hand cancel with the King Tusk stamp commemorative envelopes.
Wade, could you run your picture with the tiger King that is is in the US Postal Service book that they sell every year to keep the new stamps in? Thank you.
ReplyDeleteMary Ann
Mary Ann,
ReplyDeleteI can't it is boxed up. Any large post office with a "stamp collectors" unit should have one to look at. It has Elvis Presley on the cover, as that was the year they issued a stamp in honor of him.
Wade