Switzerland Circus

Europe stamps on the theme Circus

On 15 May 2002 Switzerland issued the Europe stamps on the theme Circus. These two stamps have been designed by Hans Falk.

Stamp designer Hans Falk

Hans Falk was born in 1918 in Zurich. After studying for one year at the Lucerne College of Applied Arts, he followed an apprenticeship as a graphic artist in Zurich. At the early age of 20, Hans Falk entered a poster competition in connection with the Swiss National Exhibition and came second out of 900 competitors. In 1942-1943, Hans Falk studied under Max Gubler and Walter Roshardt at the Zurich College of Applied Arts, and during this period, he also designed his first "Holidays" poster. Over the next ten years, a further 58 posters were to follow, mainly for social works, exhibitions and the theatre.

Affinity with the circus

Falk has always taken an interest in a broad range of topics. He traveled extensively in the Middle East. In the early sixties, Hans Falk became aware of his affinity with the circus. Using the example of circus artists, Falk focussed on an aesthetic existence in which reality and glamorous appearances became inseparable.
Date of issue 15 May 2002