Hologram Sheet from Senegal Is Eye-Catching

Senegal stamps are a hot commodity these days. You'll definitely want to add this unusual hologram sheet to your collection. Issued in 1999 to commemorate the 150th Anniversary of the French Stamp, this stunning hologram sheet features 10 values, attractively displayed within special decorative margins. Th Philex France Stamp Expo logo appears only on the complete sheet.

Regularly priced at $13.95, you can own this unique stamp sheet for only $9.85 if you order from County Stamp Center -- and we'll throw in with free shipping. To order, click the post title.

Visit the County Stamp Center website for unusual and fascinating stamps from all over the world. Sign up to receive our free monthly email newsletter. We'll keep you posted on special offers, new stamps and great savings. Come to County Stamp Center for all your philatelic needs.

Beautiful African Wildlife Definitive Issued by Namibia

This wonderful wildlife definitive depicts 12 exotic scenes from the African country of Namibia. Recently issued, each stamp paints a richly detailed portrait of a plant or animal indigenous to the hot, dry country. This beautiful 12-value commemorative is available from County Stamp Center for just $27.21 with free shipping. Click the post title to order.

Gaining independence from South Africa in 1990, Namibia is a dry land that hugs the Atlantic Ocean in southern Africa. Half the size of Alaska, Namibia is the least densely populated country in the world after Mongolia with only 2.5 persons per square kilometer. That leaves plenty of room for the impala and zebra herds that roam the central highlands above which eagles soar. Lizards and lethal insects lurk in its vast deserts.

The fourth largest exporter of non-fuel minerals in Africa, Namibia produces uranium, lead, zinc, tin, silver and tungsten, and is particularly known for its gem-quality diamonds.

No matter what you're "mining" for, you'll find it at County Stamp Center. Visit our website for all your philatelic needs.

Stunning Indonesia Gemstone Special Edition Issued at 2000 World Expo

As precious as the gems they showcase, this stunning 2000 special edition features some of Indonesia's most beautiful gemstones. Specially issued for the World Philatelic Expo Indonesia 2000, each special edition includes a sheet of 8 stamps and a souvenir sheet featuring a treasured gemstone of Indonesia. Both sheets are overprinted in gold, mounted in a special decorative presentation folder and sold with certificates of authenticity. Regularly $18.95, these unique and beautiful special edition is available at County Stamp Center for $13.95 with free shipping. Click the post title for additional views and to order.

While you're visiting the County Stamp Center website, don't forget to sign up for our free April drawing. You could win an Special 2000 Edition Indonesia Gemstone Sheet, an $18.95 value. Hurry! The contest ends Monday, April 30, 2007, at midnight (Eastern Daylight Time). Come to County Stamp Center for all your philatelic needs.

Argh, Matey! Pirate Stamps Better Than Gold Doubloons!

Pirate mania has been sweeping the country since Captain Jack Sparrow sailed across the silver screen in Pirates of the Caribbean. CBS is capitalizing on America's fascination with pirates with a new "reality" show, Pirate Master, set to debut at the end of May. The show pits 16 contestants against each other as they work to decipher an old treasure map and seek their fortune on a mysterious island. You don't need to sail the high seas, dig in the Caribbean sand or watch over your shoulder for scurvy knaves to find gold doubloons. Pirate treasure is yours with the click of a mouse at County Stamp Center.

Just issued by Ecuador, the commemorative stamp set shown depicts pirates of the Galapagos, their tall-masted ships and the skull and crossbones pirate flag on 8 fabulous stamps. And these delightful stamps won't cost you a pirate's fortune. This treasure is yours at County Stamp Center for only $7.95. Click the post title to order.

Whatever treasure you seek, County Stamp Center offers you stamps as rare as gold doubloons at very affordable prices. Visit our website for all your philatelic needs.

Earth Day Celebrates Beauty of Our Planet

We've got the whole world in our hands. That's the message of Earth Day, recognized worldwide on April 22 since 1970. Originated by U.S. Senator Gaylor Nelson of Wisconsin, Earth Day is a day to celebrate our earth's natural beauty.

Grassroots support for Earth Day is credited with galvanizing environmental reform in the United States. Celebrated in millions of communities and schools worldwide, Earth Day has become a focus for efforts to educate people about protecting our natural resources and a time for initiating environmental renewal programs. Schools, communities and Scout troops across the country will be planting trees this weekend to celebrate Earth Day. Take a moment to spend some time outside and enjoy the beauty of our Earth.

This colorful stamp from the People's Republic of China commemorates World Earth Day. Click the post title to order. At the County Stamp Center website you'll find hundreds of stamps celebrating the beauty and tremendous variety of life on our planet: trees, flowers, animals, birds, insects, fish, etc. Use our easy Quick Search feature to exactly what you're looking for. Come to County Stamp Center for all your philatelic needs.

County Stamp Center Now Offers Extended Senegal Listings

Senegal stamps as hot as the dusty roads of the Dakar Rally and as challenging to find as the course is to follow. County Stamp Center recently added an extended listing of the extremely popular Senegal stamps. We have an excellent selection of the difficult to find issues from the 1970s and 1980s. To browse our complete listing for Senegal, click the post title. You'll find hundreds of fascinating stamps on great topics including national parks, the Dakar motor rally, Senegalese culture, fish and marine life, African wildlife, and much more.

The two-value commemorative shown captures the excitement of the 26th Paris-Dakar Road Rally (click the link to order). An extreme test of survival for both man and machine, The Dakar pits amateur and professional drivers against the brutal terrain of the north African desert in the world's most famous and most grueling off-road endurance race. Started in 1978, the rally traditionally started in Paris, was interrupted to transfer vehicles across the Mediterranean, then continued as drivers fought their way across dunes, mud, camel grass and rocky terrain to the finish line at the Atlantic port of Dakar, Senegal's capital. Over the years politics and other factors have caused variations in the origin and destination sites and in the route, but Dakar has served as the finish line on all but four occasions.

No matter what you collect, you'll find it among the vast offerings at County Stamp Center. If you're looking for something specific or truly unusual, contact our buyer. Visit the County Stamp Center website for all your philatelic needs.

Souvenir Sheet Reflects Beautiful Design of La Scala Opera House

The notes fairly leap off the page of this beautifully designed souvenir sheet honoring the Teatro alla Scala in Milan, Italy, one of the world's most famous opera houses. Issued by San Marino, this delightful sheet depicts three wonderful views of the exterior and interior of the fabled theater (click the post title to order).

Built on the site of the ancient Teatro Ducale which was destroyed by fire in 1776, La Scala rose from the ashes, offering it's inaugural program in 1778. An impressive 1084 oil lamps illuminated the opera house. Ever fearful of another fire, the theater's owners kept several rooms filled with hundreds of water buckets until gas and eventually electric lights were installed in 1883.

La Scala quickly became the preeminent meeting place for noble and wealthy Milanese who watched elaborate theatrical productions from the exclusive boxes that ring the theater's interior in six impressive tiers. Housing one of the largest stages in Italy, spectators on the main floor watched the shows standing up, in the tradition of the time. Many of the world's most famous operas were first presented on the La Scala stage.

County Stamp Center has myriad stamps celebrating the opera. On our website you can find stamps featuring operatic composers, legendary opera stars, famous theaters, opulent costumes, extraordinary set designs, musical scores, and well-known conductors. Just use our handy Quick Search feature to find stamps on your specific operatic passion.

No matter what your philatelic passion, you'll find it at County Stamp Center. Visit our website for all your philatelic needs.

World Scouting Reaches the Century Mark

It's been 100 years since Lord Robert Baden-Powell gathered a group of boys together for the first Scouting encampment at Brownsea Island in England. Over the course of the 20th century, the Scouting movement grew to encompass activities for boys and girls in 216 countries. Today more than 38 million boys, girls, men and women call themselves Scouts. To celebrate its century mark, numerous events are planned all over the world, including the 21st Word Scout Jamboree in the United Kingdom.

Antigua celebrates world Scouting's centenary with the February 2007 issue of this colorful souvenir sheet. The stamp features the flags of member countries united in the traditional scout knot. Click the post title to order.

To view County Stamp Center's complete collection of stamps commemorating the worldwide Scouting movement, visit our website. Use our unique search feature to find stamps by key word, category or Scott catalog number. Come to County Stamp Center for all your philatelic needs.

POW! ZAP! BAM! Holy Super Heroes, Batman!

Head for the Batmobile while there's still time! Only a limited number of these fantastic United States First Day Covers are available.

Unique cachets featuring your favorite comic super heroes have been created by reknowned artist Nirlay Kundu. Choose from Batman, Superman, Supergirl, the Green Lantern, Flash, the Green Arrow and Aquaman. Available now at County Stamp Center in very limited quantities. You'll receive free shipping on all covers in the Cartoon Heroes collection. Click the post title to preview the entire collection.

Individually hand-drawn by award-winning illustrator Nirlay Kundu, these stunning watercolor cachets are quickly becoming collectors' items. Each envelope is handmade from acid-free, 100% cotton paper.

A software engineer by profession, Kundu learned to draw from his father. He developed a passion for stamp collecting at the age of five. After immigrating from India, he eventually combined his two passions in the creation of First Day Cover cachets. In 2005 he won the Rookie of the Year Award from the American Fist Day Cover Society for his Garbo cover.

"All my covers are unique in the sense that I draw each one of them individually and then hand colorize each one uniquely," says Kundu. "They are a labor of love. I use 100% cotton paper and cut my own envelopes."

In hot demand in Europe with a rapidly growing audience in America, each new Kundu cover is eagerly awaited. To see more Kundu covers available at County Stamp Center, click the post title. Order your favorite super hero covers today. Quick, to the Bat Cave! There's not a moment to lose!

Delightful Hummingbird Featured on Stunning Antigua Stamp Set

Hummingbirds are the most wondrous creatures. For the first time in my life I saw one in my garden last summer sipping away at the hydrangeas. I'd seen the tiny birds on television nature shows, of course, where the camera lens slows their frenzied wing beats down to a believable speed. Nothing on the small screen compared to the magic of seeing one flit about my garden. His wings truly did beat so fast they were a blur. He lit briefly on a tree limb where I got a glimpse of bright green and yellow feathers, then he was gone, dipping and soaring over the flowers and out of sight. It was one of those treasured moments when you have the brief opportunity to experience the true wonder of nature.

This stunning set of 1976 commemoratives from Antigua made me remember my summer visitor. Among the definitive set of 18 values, the Antillean Crested Hummingbird is captured in all its delicate beauty. The set also includes other native birds, lovely orchids and important historical sites all beautifully colored. Having a Scott Catalogue value of $18, County Stamp Center offers this wonder set at the considerable savings of only $13.50 with free shipping. Click the post title for more information and to order.

You'll also want to take a look at our extended listing for Antigua from 1970 to 1990 consisting of complete sets and souvenir sheets. The many topics include sailing, Disney, Olympics, Scouting, tropical birds, tropical fish, religious art, trains, Van Gogh, butterflies and much more. Click the link to preview.

Visit the County Stamp Center website for hundreds of stamps on every topic imaginable. Come to County Stamp Center for all your philatelic needs.

Easter Eggs Are a Symbol of Spring Renewal

What's your favorite part of Easter. I mean besides the chocolate bunny ears! Well if you're reading this blog it has to be stamps. County Stamp Center has some wonderful Easter stamps from the silly to the sublime. This wonderful 2006 Easter stamp from the Czech Republic invites a whimsical smile. Click the post title to order.

Decorated eggs and rabbits are age-old fertility symbols and have been popular signs of the Earth's renewal since long before Easter traditions began. Jews serve hard-cooked eggs at the Passover Seder as a symbol of new life. Romans included eggs in their spring feasts. Ancient Persians painted eggs for their New Year celebration which fell on the spring equinox. In the West, eggs were a forbidden food during Lent, making them a special treat on Easter. Orthodox tradition says Mary Magdalene gave the Emperor of Rome a red egg as a symbol of Christianity after Christ's ascension.

The incredible, edible egg is a featured part of the Easter celebration. We dye them, hunt them, roll them, toss them, and, of course, eat them. And we collect stamps that show them in all their beautifully, colored glory. Visit the County Stamp Center website for more wonderful Easter stamps.

Beatrix Potter's Whimsical Animals Delight Collectors

Favorite characters from Beatrix Potter's delightful children's stories are featured on this whimsical souvenir sheet from the Isle of Man. (Click the post title to order.) Miss Potter wrote 23 books about her animal friends, the most famous of which is the childhood classic, The Tale of Peter Rabbit.

Inspiration for her books came from the menagerie Beatrix and her brother Bertram tended throughout their youth. Her favorite rabbits and the stars of some of her most loved stories were Benjamin Bouncer and Peter Piper. Benjamin liked to eat hot, buttered toast while Peter preferred to lie on the rug in front of the crackling fireplace much like a cat.

Born in 1866, as a child Beatrix spent many hours studying and making detailed drawings of her animals. She made up fanciful names for them and told stories of their adventures in letters to friends. In 1902 she published her first book, a beautiful watercolor edition that told the story of a family of rabbits: Flopsy, Mopsy, Cottontail and, of course, that rascal Peter. Miss Potter died in 1943, leaving her estate to charity to help preserve the countryside she loved.

If you loved Miss Potter's books about Peter Rabbit and Benjamin Bunny, Jemima Puddle-duck, Tabitha Twitchit and all the other denizens of the garden, County Stamp Center also offers a wonderful prestige booklet chronicling the History of Beatrix Potter. Delightful text accompanies photographs of the author and illustrations of her most famous animal characters. (Click the link for more details and to order.)

Visit the County Stamp Center website for all your philatelic needs. No matter what your area of interest, you'll find it at County Stamp Center.

Delightful Cartoon Figures Dance to the Music

The unique styling of this beautiful stamp sheet from the tiny European Principality of Liechtenstein is as lyrical as the famous musical works it portrays. Delicately colored cartoon characters dance delightfully across the page in a celebration of music that is both joyful and humorous. The stamp series is reminiscent of the Walt Disney film Fantasia, the famous series of cartoon shorts set to classical music.

This unusual stamp sheet is sure to be a treasured conversation piece in your collection. A featured item this month, the unique 8-value stamp sheet is just $10.12 from County Stamp Center and shipping is free. Click the post title to order.

Visit the County Stamp Center website for more great prices on the stamps you want. Make sure you sign up to receive our monthly e-mail newsletter so you don't miss any of our great monthly specials. It's easy. Just enter your name and e-mail address in the space on the right column of our home page. Visit County Stamp Center for all your philatelic needs.