When I was in grade school, I invented my own country and then made stamps for it, as well as maps and rules. Imagine my excitement when I learned that grown-ups do this....not just a few, but hundreds, all over the globe! I joined the Artistamp group, and invented a new country, The Inka Isles, which was first discovered by Vasco da Gama when he was searching for a spice route from Portugal to India. It has remained a secret until now.(wink, wink) An ideal place, it has a median temperature of 80 degrees all year round, is self-sufficient, and idyllic. And so, many of these stamps are for The Inka Isles. A few have been created for the Pony Express Reenactment, and others for the Artistamp Anniversary Events.

These are the details of the Inka Isles! For Artistamps,AMLP#73, Issuing Authority:HMS Poste, Issuing Country: Vasco da Gamaland. Postal Country. Inka Isles. Cultural Events: National Low Tide Day, sand-castle building...new moon, 8th month; National High Tide Day, stilt-construction...second Sunday after the first equinox; Island-Wide Quill Day, celebrating our island birds...the first day of each season; Tree-Shinny Track Meet...second Saturday in the month of the red sun; Mango-Toss Day...concluding the harvest. Interests: nature walks (or strolls), painting and writing; traveling; research (detective work). Favorite subjects: I collect ink wells and old letters that have washed ashore. I love to read biographies and am curious about everything. Will trade for: you name it; I'll see if I've got it.