EUROPA 2002 – The Circus – Famous Clowns

JOSEPH GRIMALDI (1778 – 1831) “JOEY”
The “Father of Clowns” as he has become known, as it was he who first used make-up or “slap” to emphasise comic gesture albeit on the theatre stage. His appearances as Clown in Pantomime at the Theatre Royal Covent Garden ensured his fame and his life is commemorated by a Church Service in Dalston, London each February.

KARL ADRIEN WETTACH (1880 – 1959) “GROCK”
Born of Swiss parents at Reconvilier. At the age of 15 he toured Switzerland displaying acrobatics. His life became a series of adventures touring the world. After 1945 he had his own travelling circus but retired from that in 1954. He held an honorary doctorate from Budapest University but became “der Konig der Clowns” in his publicity for his comical mastery of musical instruments. He died on the 14th July 1959 at Imperia, Italy.

NICHOLAI POLAKOVS OBE (1900 – 1974) “COCO”
Born in Russia but went to England in 1929 from Circus Busch and stayed 37 years with Bertram Mills Circus in addition to short periods with Billy Smarts Circus and the Robert Brothers Circus. He earned the Order of the British Empire in 1963 for his activities in connection with the safety of children on the roads. Died in Peterborough on 25th September 1974.

HUBERT JEAN CHARLES CAIROLI (1910 – 1980) “CHARLIE”
Born in Italy of French parents. Wearing his trade marks of bowler hat and shiny red nose he graced the ring of the famous Blackpool Tower Circus for 39 seasons. The ring at Blackpool allowed a water spectacle, and water and Charlie created many slap-stick opportunities to the delight of visitors to that Northern coastal town of England. He died there on the 17th February 1980 having just reached his 70th birthday.



Technical Details

Design & Illustrations: Aurelio Torres AMPA/ANAP
Printer: Garcon Security Printers
No. of Colours: 4 Colours
Process: Offset Lithography
Stamp size: 30.00 x 40.00mm
Sheetlet size: 125 x 250mm
Format: 4 sheets of 10
Values: 30p, 40p, 42p, 54p
Issue Date: 4th March 2002

This Presentation Pack is issued by the Gibraltar Philatelic Bureau, PO Box 556, Gibraltar. It has been designed to fit into the official two-ring binder available from the Philatelic Bureau price £3.40.

(Circular stamp mark reads: “EUROPA 2002 – The Circus – GIBRALTAR 4·3·2002”)