The Stamp Day Stamp
On July 29, 1971 the first set of stamps for Bangladesh, created by Biman Mullick, was issued. For this reason July 29 was later established as “Stamp Day” in Bangladesh.
On February 17, 2015 the postal department of Bangladesh decided to issue a “Stamp Day Stamp” on July 29, 2015.
On July 2, 2015 the postal department of Bangladesh sent a letter to Biman Mullick asking him to design and submit three items: a stamp design, a design for a first day cover and a design for a canceller. All needed to be finished by July 9, 2015.
This required Biman to design and submit these three items in about 5 days.
In my discussions with Biman I have to come to understand that he treasures his graphic artwork. It is especially important to him that every drawing he produces should be born of passion and excitement. He pays close attention to detail and takes great pride in accuracy. For this reason his interview, included here, does not reflect joy but, instead, expresses a sense of disappointment in the whole process of creating this stamp, cover, and canceller.
After a few months of the first Stamp Day stamp being issued, I was asked by Mr. Nadeem Qadir (Minister Press) of the Bangladesh High Commission who said to me something like, “You designed the first set of Bangladesh stamps in 1971. It’s about time you should again design stamps for us. If you agree, I would ask the appropriate authority to send you an official request.”
I said, “I have already designed a stamp, which was issued on 29th July 2015.”
He replied that he knew nothing about this stamp.
A similar request also came from Mr. Mafidul Haque, the head of Sahitya Prakash, the biggest publishing house of Bangladesh.
In 1971 the name “Bangla Desh” was unknown to the world. But John Stonehouse managed to tell the world through international media about the stamp on 26 July 1971. The next day the whole world came to know that there is a country called “Bangla Desh”. On 29 July 1971 the stamps were issued from different parts of the world.
In 2015 Bangladesh was a well-established country with its proper postal administration. At the same time Bangladesh had embassies and High Commissions all over the world.
I am surprised to know even well-informed people in Bangladesh did not know the existence of the “Stamp Day Stamp” of 2015.
Interview with Biman: Stamp Day
Various Documents
Invitation Letter to Stamp Day
In 2015, the Bangladesh Post Office asked Biman Mullick to design a commemorative stamp in recognition of the country’s very first Stamp Day. His original invitation letter can be read here. Continue Reading →