SCARABEUS BINKEL AND THE QUEEN OF VUTTIBEKIM
Empire of the West
2016
Eric Whollem
laser edition
copyright by the artist
HOW SCARABEUS BINKEL FOUNDED THE EMPIRE OF THE WEST
Scarabeus Binkel, a rogue stamp dealer, and belated pirate from Binkel County established two empires in his day. The Binklish Empire was created in colonies that he established in the east of Amphora along the Barbaru Coast. His second empire was called Empire of the West.
To make a long story short, after escaping from prison where he was held by the Digby Brothers, through the aid of the Gopher People, he traveled to the Land of Giants where through expert smooth talking the moribund Giant populace was convinced to arise and become a great people by conquering neighboring nations. Thus the Empire of the West was born.
The Queen of Vebuttikim, seen on these stamps, embellished by the heraldic crossed axes of the Giants, was among the first to be conquered. She was promised eternal fame, by appearing on the cinderella stamps Binkel manufactured with her image.
Thus the empire grew bit by bit as other lands were assimilated unto the Giants. Some conjecture that this was a huge paraphilatelic plot on Binkel's part, insofar as most of these stamps were only procurable from Binkel's stamp catalog, and seldom readily available in the post offices of their respective lands. LOL
SCARABEUS BINKEL AND THE QUEEN OF VUTTIBEKIM
Empire of the West
2016
Eric Whollem
laser edition
copyright by the artist
A NOTE ON THE POSTAL RATES OF THE EMPIRE OF THE WEST
Binkel, as Postmaster General of the Empire of the West, determined that insofar as an average letter sent by a giant weighs about 40 pounds, that the postal rates should be commensurate with the tonnage. Thus one sees that these stamps are denominated at $800 Gargantuan Dollars each.
Binkel was fortunate to have many wealthy philatelists on his mailing list, so these prices did not deter the specialists interested in stamps from the Land of Giants, but made them appealing as something that not just anyone could own. Thus Binkel kept the Giants, the Queen of Vebuttikim with her percentage, his clients and himself satisfied. LOL
SCARABEUS BINKEL AND THE QUEEN OF VUTTIBEKIM
Empire of the West
2016
Eric Whollem
laser edition
copyright by the artist
SCARABEUS BINKEL AND THE QUEEN OF VUTTIBEKIM
Empire of the West
2016
Eric Whollem
laser edition
copyright by the artist
SCARABEUS BINKEL AND THE QUEEN OF VUTTIBEKIM
Empire of the West
2016
Eric Whollem
laser edition
copyright by the artist
THE LOCATION OF THE EMPIRE OF THE WEST, ETC.
The stamp below, issued by the Southern Amphitritonians, has a map which may help our readers locate the places mentioned in this article.
Binkel County, where Binkel began his illustrious career as sheriff is found on the eastern coast of Amphitritonia.
Vebuttikim is to the west of the Land of Giants. In future blog posts we will relate more exploits of Scarabeus and his Giant Legions. LOL
MAP STAMP OF SOUTHERN AMPHIRITONIA
Southern Amphitritonian Post Office
2016
Eric Whollem
laser edition
copyright by the artist
SCARABEUS BINKEL AND THE QUEEN OF VUTTIBEKIM
Empire of the West
2016
Eric Whollem
laser edition
copyright by the artist
SCARABEUS BINKEL AND THE QUEEN OF VUTTIBEKIM
Empire of the West
2016
Eric Whollem
laser edition
copyright by the artist
A LETTER TO PRESIDENT LUMBERLASS
from Scarabeus Binkel in the Land of Giants
2016
Eric Whollem
faux stamps on parchment cover
copyright by the artist
HOW SCARABEUS BINKEL ATTEMPTED TO SEDUCE THE PRESIDENT OF SKY CITY IRIS WITH 'PROMISES OF FAME'
The above letter shows how Binkel systematically tried to broaden the Empire of the West.
Here he appeals to Meggie Lumberlass, President of the independent City State of Sky City Iris.
It is believed that Lumberlass spurred his advances, knowing full well that her images found on the stamps of Sky City were all the philatelic fame she truly needed! LOL
A LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT OF SKY CITY IRIS
to the Guild of Emergency Volunteers
2016
Eric Whollem
faux stamps on cover
copyright by the artist
The above appeal was sent by President Lumberlass to her people in Mischca's Cove, alerting them to the imperial aims of the Empire of the West on their territory. The all-seeing eye of Sky City is seen on some of the stamps on this cover.
Images of Lumberlass appear on these stamps. Sky City Iris had no need of Scarabeus Binkel's schemes!
SCARABEUS BINKEL AND THE QUEEN OF VUTTIBEKIM
Empire of the West
2016
Eric Whollem
laser edition
copyright by the artist
SCARABEUS BINKEL AND THE QUEEN OF VUTTIBEKIM
Empire of the West
2016
Eric Whollem
laser edition
copyright by the artist
SCARABEUS BINKEL AND THE QUEEN OF VUTTIBEKIM
Empire of the West
2016
Eric Whollem
laser edition
copyright by the artist
THE QUEEN OF QARRUB QAR JOINS THE EMPIRE OF THE WEST
With promises of jewels and gold as well as immortalization on stamps to be distributed to the international Stamp Market, the Queen of Qarrub Qar fell prey to Scarabeus Binkel's enticing words.
She promised Scarabeus to allow a contingent of Giants to 'protect' her palaces and domains. She was a young queen and foolish in the ways of the Stamp Market. LOL
THE QUEEN OF QARRUB QAR
on a stamp of the Empire of the West
2016
Eric Whollem
laser edition
copyright by the artist
THE QUEEN OF QARRUB QAR
on a stamp of the Empire of the West
2016
Eric Whollem
laser edition
copyright by the artist
SCARABEUS'S OVERTURES TO THE GRAND DUCHY OF GUGUWUPH
The letter below shows how Binkel's letter to the Duke of Guguwuph was dishonored by copious postage due levies. Tune in to Art Blog/Eric Whollem for more stories of paraphilatelic intrigue!
So if the perforation chad does not run away with the glue pot and eat up the gopher king's birthday cake, I will return with another story of Binkel and the Giants (apologies to fans of 'Uncle Wiggily's Adventures.' LOL Or as the Gentleman Rabbit once said: ' Obscure literary references will get you Nowhere!' LOL
LETTER FROM THE LAND OF GIANTS
to the Duke of Guguwuph
2016
Eric Whollem
faux stamps on handmade parchment cover
copyright by the artist
Read about the Binklish Empire:
