13 July 1832 Barrackpore HG 3 Cover

13 July 1832

Siegel - India, Barrackpore, 1832, "BARRACKPORE/POST/OFFICE" Negative Intaglio Handstamp (Giles 3). Just clear and complete strike with all letters visible with manuscript "The 13th July 1832" date marking on back of folded cover to Bangalore, red Calcutta (Jul. 14) and Madras (Jul. 26) transit backstamps, signed "C.T. Metcalfe" as this was sent free of charge, cover with slight edgewear FINE STRIKE OF THIS RARE BARRACKPORE NEGATIVE INTAGLIO HANDSTAMP. JUST THREE EXAMPLES ARE RECORDED BY GILES. The sender, Sir Charles Metcalfe (1785-1846), was a British colonial administrator. He held various important positions such as Governor of Agra (1834-1835), Governor General of India (1835-1836), Lieut. Governor of the N.W. Provinces (1836-1838), Governor of Jamaica (1839-1842), and Governor General of Canada (1843-1845). Cavendish - BARRACKPORE - THE VERY RARE INTAGLIO CIRCULAR “POST/OFFICE” TYPE ON FREE MAIL; Attractive 13 July 1832 E (splendid red wax seal) from future Governor General of India, the ‘King of Calcutta’, “C[harles] T. Metcalfe” (1785-1846; signed below the address as a Free frank) to Bangalore with a mainly very fine Intaglio circular “BARRACKPORE/POST/OFFICE/+” (HG3; only two other examples known, one of which is largely off the edge of the cover) on the flap beside Calcutta and Madras datestamps. Rare marking on a rare Indian Free frank. PHOTO - see below.

"Magnolia" Michael Manning