How scarce is the Calcutta HG 10 mark on this cover?

The census grades Calcutta HG 10 as very common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1788–1820.

When was COV-17 posted?

COV-17 is dated 5 January 1795, within the recorded period of use of Calcutta HG 10 (1788–1820).

COV-17

5 January 1795 Calcutta Cover

Back to census|Calcutta HG 10 · 18 covers recorded

COV-210 →

Pre-stamp cover of India — 5 January 1795, Calcutta HG 10 handstruck folded letter (COV-17) — front

Pre-stamp cover of India — Calcutta HG 10, back (COV-17) — back

Scan or Photo Courtesy of Siegel Auction Galleries

Date

5 January 1795

Description

India, Calcutta, 1795, "G.P.O./JANy/Pt Pd" Double-Oval Handstamp (Giles 10). Excellent strike applied over the fold with manuscript "(JANy) 5" date and "(Pt Pd) 1/1" rate added on back of 1795 folded cover to Prime Minister of Hyderabad, Very Fine and scarce 18th century Calcutta cover

Auction

Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries

Sale 9054, Lot 10015, (May 2026), — Magnolia Collection Part 7

Provenance

"Magnolia"

•2026, Siegel Auction Galleries, Sale 9054, Lot 10015, Realized $120— The Magnolia Collection: India Postal History, Part 7 (Robert C. Bauer)

Same office

Other recorded marks at Calcutta

183 marks

183 other pre-1854 postal markings of Calcutta are recorded in the census. Compare their figure numbers, dates and colours to identify the mark on your cover.

+177 more at this office.View all Calcutta marks and postal history →

About this Calcutta pre stamp cover

COV-17 is a Calcutta pre stamp cover of 5 January 1795 bearing the Calcutta HG 10 handstamp, struck in black, recorded in the census of Calcutta postal history — the office known today as Kolkata, Bengal Presidency. What is a pre stamp cover?

Its recorded auction history runs through Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries Sale 9054 lot 10015 (May 2026).

2 images of COV-17 are recorded (front, back); the Calcutta HG 10 mark itself is recorded in use 1788–1820.

Questions about COV-17

What is COV-17?: COV-17 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Calcutta, Bengal Presidency of 5 January 1795, bearing the Calcutta HG 10 handstamp in black. India, Calcutta, 1795, "G.P.O./JANy/Pt Pd" Double-Oval Handstamp (Giles 10). Excellent strike applied over the fold with manuscript "(JANy) 5" date and "(Pt Pd) 1/1" rate added on back of 1795 folded cover to Prime Minister of Hyderabad, Very Fine and scarce 18th century Calcutta cover
How scarce is the Calcutta HG 10 mark on this cover?: The census grades Calcutta HG 10 as very common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1788–1820.
What is the provenance of COV-17?: Its recorded auction history runs through Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries Sale 9054 lot 10015 (May 2026).
When was COV-17 posted?: COV-17 is dated 5 January 1795, within the recorded period of use of Calcutta HG 10 (1788–1820).

About this record

This 5 January 1795 pre stamp cover of British India bears the Calcutta HG 10 handstamp of the Bengal Presidency, a mark graded “Very common” in this census — one of 18 surviving covers with this mark recorded. It has appeared at auction with Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries, Sale 9054, lot 10015, (May 2026). Recorded prices realized: $120, Siegel Auction Galleries, (2026).