1966 5-Cent US Circus Commemorative Stamp Snippets

This collection consists of nine envelope snippets featuring the 1966 United States 5-cent Circus commemorative stamp (Scott #1309). The stamps depict a stylized clown face based on a design by artist Edward Cassel, intended to honor the American circus. Each stamp displays a red-haired clown with a blue and white striped background, featuring 'CIRCUS' at the top and 'UNITED STATES' at the bottom. These stamps have been clipped from original correspondences, retaining their mechanical postmarks. Notable cancellations include circular date stamps from Lancaster, Levittown, Christiana, and Gordonville, Pennsylvania, dating through July 1966. Variations in the postmarks are present, including 'Pray for Peace' slogan cancels and 'Give the United Way' box cancels. The condition is varied; while the stamps themselves appear intact with vibrant primary colors (red, white, and blue), the surrounding paper displays irregular hand-cut edges and some light toning. One snippet shows pencil notations of pricing or inventory numbers. The stamps are mounted on a cream-colored album page labeled 'ENTERTAINMENT' in black marker at the bottom. This group represents a specialized interest in postal history and topical circus philately from the mid-20th century.