Penguins Are Centerpiece of Antarctic Tableau

In honor of Father's Day we pay homage to Emperor penguins, one of nature's most dedicated dads. Making their home in one of nature's bleakest, most forbidding climates, they brave raging storms in the dead of Antarctic winter to incubate a single egg and hatch a fuzzy chick. Pictured in the detail at left, Antarctica's famous penguins are the centerpiece of a marvelous tableau souvenir sheet recently issued by Japan. Only $14.72 at County Stamp Center, the full sheet is shown below (click the post title to order).

Commemorating Japan's 80th year of Antarctic research, this charming tableau depicts the hearty native inhabitants and wide range of research activities that take place on Earth's most inhospitable continent. On average, Antarctica is the coldest, driest, windiest continent with the highest average elevation of all the continents. With negligible rainfall, Antarctica's interior is technically the world's biggest desert.

In this barren landscape only cold-adapted plants and animals survive, including penguins, seals, mosses, lichens, algae -- and a flourishing international scientific community. While Antarctica has no permanent residents, it is home to nearly 4000 scientists in summer and 1000 in winter.

Fortunately, you don't have to brave icy, gale-force winds to experience the wonders of Antarctica. County Stamp Center carries a wide variety of stamps on the scientific endeavors, animal inhabitants and history of the ice continent. Visit our website and use our handy Quick Search feature to find what you're looking for. Visit County Stamp Center for all your philatelic needs. And Happy Father's Day to all the dads out there!