Some words about the history of overprint postage stamps of Bangladesh in Recent Years:

During recent years, there were some discussions on postal overprint commemorative postage stamps. Some discussants noted that these overprinted postage stamps are not printed from security printed press and no data cards and Postal Circulars were issued with these stamps. They are not willing to recognize these stamps as commemorative. Another serious allegation of this group is that these overprinted postage stamps were printed from outside press under the supervision of some organizations or individuals. Another of their complaints is about the lack of transparency in the distribution and marketing system of the commemorative postage stamps. Others are trying to say that if a person or organization overprints from outside with the permission of the postal department and sells it through the postal department, then the postage stamp cannot be degraded. 

Let’s discuss the matter based on these complaints and opinions. First of all, I am not a philatelist. It is written in light of the knowledge gained from fifteen years of service in the postal department and still keenly trying to learn about philately. There may be differences of opinion, but they can be fulfilled through constructive discussion. Every postal administration in the world issues commemorative stamps to commemorate national and international events. Considering the shortness of time, the importance of the subject, many times the stamps were overprinted on the existing postage stamp and released in the market as a commemorative postage stamp. It then gets the status of an individual commemorative postage stamp. It is stated in Article 6 of the Convention Manual published by the Universal Postal Organization in 2018 Postal prepayment impressions, franking machine impressions and impressions made by a printing press or another printing or stamping process in accordance with the Acts of the Union may be used only with the authorization of the member country or territory. 

The ‘Authorization’ mentioned at the end of Article 6 has not been said to give power to any person or organization, such as the Postal Department. This is the work order issued to the Security Printing Press as per the Postal Department’s plan. By the order they will print it. This work order is issued from the concerned branch of the postal department to the security printing press and/or postal printing press for overprinting. 

Whether it is a commemorative postage stamp or an overprint, who will do this work is stated in the guidance of the World Postal Organization’s 2016 Recommendation C 13 entitled Philatelic Code of Ethics for the use of UPU member countries. “2 Issuing postal authorities shall not authorize such use of cancellation dies, hand stamps or other official informative or operational markings as would not result from the exercise of proper postal procedures.” “2.1 Issuing postal authorities shall not permit the use of such cancelling or marking devices by persons other than their own employees.” 

Bangladesh Postal Department used to print all postage stamps from abroad. Since its establishment, Security Printing Press in 1989, it has been printing all types of commemorative and general postage stamps, judicial and non-judicial stamps. Not because of the quality, but because of the security of the postal department, this work is done with them. Of course, there are government instructions to give them. Security printing press does not want to do overprint work due to the short amount of time and quantity. But if the quantity is more then the job is done by the security printing press. For example, the word ‘Service’ is overprinted on a standard postage stamp usually by a security printing press. The Department of Posts has an independent printing press. Earlier it was in Tejgaon Industrial Area now it is in the BICIC Industrial City of Tongi. All postal department forms, commemorative postage stamp opening envelopes, data cards and all print-related work are done in this press. Overprint commemorative stamps are also done at this press. A circular is issued with each commemorative postage stamp whether new or overprinted. This is an official order of the Department of Posts. It records the subject matter, value, size, sale and accounting instructions of the memorandum. 

Now the question is whether a person or an institution buys a few sheets of commemorative postage stamps from the postal department and overprints them from an outside press, whether they will get the status of overprint commemorative postage stamps. 

Every postal administration in the world is obliged to follow the rules and regulations of the UPU. In light of the UPU’s Directives and Rules Regulations, these will not have the status of commemorative postage stamps. The Department of Posts cannot delegate this responsibility to any person or institution. Overprint commemorative postage stamp is overprint commemorative postage stamp if opening envelope from postal department, data-card especially circular issued by postal department. If not, these are nothing more than Cinderella or labels. All disputes can be ended only if the concerned branch of the postal department is inquired about or the postal department discloses the matter.

Reference: Mr. Mominul Azam (Ex Bangladesh Post Office Offical)