Abstract: A self-inking stamping device easily grasped and operated in a person's hand is provided by an improved arrangement of an encasing operating member relative to a frame member that supports an ink pad holder and contains an invertable type-carrying platen, with coacting means on the platen, the frame member and the operating member for disposing type of an elastic strip on the platen in inking position at an ink pad in the holder when the operating member is being held in a normal upward position by spring action and causing the type to impress evenly on a surface at the lower end of the frame member when the operating member is pressed downward to stamping position. Bridge members extending inward from an upper portion of an encasement wall of the operating member form a seat for a coiled spring compressed between them and an upper surface of the ink pad holder, and provide a space in-between them to receive and give access to an inking cup formation on the holder when the encasement wall is depressed.