SELLOS AUTOADHESIVOS

Eight adhesive stamps fare A dedicated to the Circus come into circulation. They are valid for standardized letters in Spain up to 20 gr. Trapezes, jugglers, acrobats, clowns and tamers all make up the spectacular circus world. This great show has throughout history captivated children and adults. Entertainment shows date back to the Old Rome circus where horse chariot races, gladiator combats and animal duels were performed. The circus that we know today, however, was inaugurated in England at the end of the 18th century with Philip Astley. He conducted horse riding shows, shadow plays and acrobat performances. Years later North American H. Bailey introduced, among many other new shows, performing animal, acrobats, tightrope walkers, and equilibristic acts. All of the shows where performed under the unmistakable big top that characterizes this spectacle.

Europe testifies to a long circus tradition. It has been house to famous companies such as the Krone circus in Germany; the Paris and Bouglione performance in France and the Russian Moscow spectacle. In Spain, the first established circus was the Price circus set in Madrid 1830 and where it performed until 1970. The Olimpia circus in Barcelona, which disappeared a few years ago should equally not be left in oblivion. The stamps feature the works of the painter Manolo Élices. Élices was born in 1934 in Valdecerros, in the province of Salamanca. During his childhood he moved to the town of Béjar where he began to paint. He then went to Madrid where he started to work in publicity design. Since 1966 he dedicates his time to both activities. The cheerful rich coloured stamps depict different scenes of the circus world: The Rest, Madame Lis, Brothers Tonys, Fani and Tini, Konis on the tightrope, Troupe Salis, Fire Breathing, the work Two and Two Libraries is illustrated on the front of the leaflets.