Hand stamp with folding handle

A stamp for applying a marking, including a handle and a base, said base forming or adapted to have secured to it an impression block for applying said marking, said handle being adapted to be manually gripped in order to effect the applying of said marking, said handle being adapted to be rotatable between an operational position in which said handle is located in a plane normal to that of said base and is generally upstanding relative to said base, and a transportation position in which said handle is located in a plane parallel to that of said base and generally adjacent to at least a portion of said base, said stamp being provided with means to firmly but releasably hold said handle in each of said operational position and said transportation position, said handle is provided with axle portions, and said means includes a bore associated with said base, said bore being adapted to cooperate with said axle portions located on said handle to permit rotation of said handle about said bore, said means further including elements being located in the vicinity of said bore and each of said axle portions releasably holding said handle in at least said operational position and said transportation position.