The following is a press release from the Cedar Rapids Stamp Club (APS Chapter 106)

A brand new display is now on exhibit in the main lobby of the Cedar Rapids Post Office.  The Shrine Circus is coming to the Alliant Energy PowerHouse on April 1-2, 2023.  The Cedar Rapids Stamp Club used this upcoming event to recognize and celebrate the theme.

Members of the CRSC assembled and arranged several First Day of Issue Commemorative covers with antique circus poster cachets added.  The display includes a vintage program from the Ringling Bros. Barnum and Baily Circus. 

The first US circus was established in Philadelphia in 1793, but it wasn’t until the introduction of the tent in 1825 that the circus became a truly roving art form.  The arrival of P.T. Barnum in 1871 transformed the trade and five Ringling brothers created a spectacle of their own.

Also exhibited are several specially serviced cachet covers from the Mount Vernon, IA US Post Office – zip code 52314.  The special cancellation includes Mr. Zip and includes “Celebrate 52314 - Zip Code Day Station” applied on May 23, 2014. These also have USPS Commemorative stamps with vintage circus and clowns as issued in 2014 and other previous years.

Club members Mike Taylor and Steve Kossayian assembled and arranged the display case.

The display case is located within the post office counter area at the main Cedar Rapids Post Office, 615 6^th Avenue SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52406. The club will maintain this display through March 2023.  

The previous display of the Black Heritage Series Stamps will appear next CERAPEX 2023, April 22-23, 2023, at the Machinists Hall, 222 Prospect Pl SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404.

The club meets 7PM on the first Monday of each month at the First Presbyterian Church, 802 12th St., Marion Iowa.  For more information, the website is http://crsc.mysite.com .