Retractable ink stamp

A retractable ink stamp comprising:

• a handle,
• an ink stamp housing slideably mounted to one end of the handle, and
• a retractable ink stamp assembly located substantially within the ink stamp housing, said ink stamp assembly comprising an ink stamp matrix having a thickness in a range between about 1/8 inch to 1 inch and a total volume of at least 0.06 cubic inches, said stamp matrix constructed of a nonelastomeric polymer foam having an open cell structure, an average pore diameter of between about 36 to 44 microns and a pore volume of about 25 to 45 percent of the total matrix volume, the polymer foam selected from the group consisting of polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinylchloride and polyvinyl/fluoride, and means for self-retracting the ink stamp matrix, said means comprised of a member having at least one fold circumferentially within its surface to produce a bellows effect within the member as the handle is depressed, said means interconnecting the stamp matrix and said handle so that as the handle is depressed, the housing and handle slide towards each other causing a minor portion of the matrix to extend beyond the open end of said ink stamp housing, and as said handle is released, said self-retracting means causes the ink matrix to withdraw into the interior of the stamp housing.