Showing barely any signs of wear, handling and age. Top flap is free / unused. No corner wear or creases. Elsewhere, no issues to note. Will display well in your collection. You will receive the exact cover in the photos. Overall, in very good condition.

It measures approx. 3 5/8" x 6 1/2"

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The stamp on this exhibition cover is the **5¢ American Circus commemorative** (Scott **1309**), one of the most colorful and recognizable U.S. commemoratives of the 1960s. ### Background The stamp was **issued on May 2, 1966, in Delavan, Wisconsin**, to commemorate the **100th anniversary of the birth of John Ringling (1866–1936)** and to honor the American circus. Delavan was chosen because it was long known as the **"Circus City"**, serving as winter quarters for numerous traveling circuses during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. ### The Clown The stamp depicts a classic circus clown designed by **Edward Klauck** and engraved by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing. Although the design was intended to represent the American circus generally, collectors have long noted its strong resemblance to **Lou Jacobs**, the famous Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus clown. Jacobs was still living when the stamp was issued, making this one of the earliest U.S. stamps to closely resemble a living performer, although he was never officially identified by name on the stamp. ### Production * **Issue date:** May 2, 1966 * **Denomination:** 5¢ * **Designer:** Edward Klauck * **Printer:** Bureau of Engraving and Printing * **Printing method:** Giori multicolor press * **Quantity printed:** Approximately **131 million** stamps, making it a very common commemorative today. ### About This Cover This cover is especially appealing because the **Patchogue Stamp and Coin Club Exhibition** cancel is dated **May 7, 1966**, just **five days after the stamp's official release**. Rather than being a First Day Cover, it is an **early philatelic event cover**, using one of the newest U.S. commemoratives available at the time. The colorful clown stamp was a natural choice for a stamp exhibition and adds visual appeal to the commemorative cancel. =====================================================

**Shipped securely in a poly sleeve, sandwiched in cardboard, inside a rigid mailer via USPS Ground Advantage service w/ tracking**

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