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

The census grades Calcutta HG 10a as very common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1795–1817.

When was COV-4642 posted?

COV-4642 is dated 1798, within the recorded period of use of Calcutta HG 10a (1795–1817).

COV-4642

1798 Calcutta Cover

Back to census|Calcutta HG 10a · 4 covers recorded

← COV-3776

Pre-stamp cover of India — 1798, Calcutta HG 10a handstruck folded letter (COV-4642) — front

Pre-stamp cover of India — Calcutta HG 10a, back (COV-4642) — back

Scan or Photo Courtesy of Philaindia

Date

1798

Description

1798 CALCUTTA to CHANDERNAGORE, folded entire in superb condition showing VERY EARLY EXAMPLE of the G.P.O./MARCH Pt. Pd.despatch stamp to FRENCH SETTLEMENT, 50 MILES North of CALCUTTA in 1798 .The rate of postage , 1 Anna marked in manuscript. There was no arrival mark in Chandernagore at that time A RARE COVER.

Auction

Philaindia

Auction 2 Phila India Stamps, Lot 1, (Aug 9, 2025)

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-4642 is a Calcutta pre stamp cover of 1798 bearing the Calcutta HG 10a 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 Philaindia Auction 2 Phila India Stamps lot 1 (Aug 9, 2025).

2 images of COV-4642 are recorded (front, back); the Calcutta HG 10a mark itself is recorded in use 1795–1817.

Questions about COV-4642

What is COV-4642?: COV-4642 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Calcutta, Bengal Presidency of 1798, bearing the Calcutta HG 10a handstamp in black. 1798 CALCUTTA to CHANDERNAGORE, folded entire in superb condition showing VERY EARLY EXAMPLE of the G.P.O./MARCH Pt. Pd.despatch stamp to FRENCH SETTLEMENT, 50 MILES North of CALCUTTA in 1798 .The rate of postage , 1 Anna marked in manuscript. There was no arrival mark in Chandernagore at that time A RARE COVER.
How scarce is the Calcutta HG 10a mark on this cover?: The census grades Calcutta HG 10a as very common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1795–1817.
What is the provenance of COV-4642?: Its recorded auction history runs through Philaindia Auction 2 Phila India Stamps lot 1 (Aug 9, 2025).
When was COV-4642 posted?: COV-4642 is dated 1798, within the recorded period of use of Calcutta HG 10a (1795–1817).

About this record

This 1798 pre stamp cover of British India bears the Calcutta HG 10a handstamp of the Bengal Presidency, a mark graded “Very common” in this census — one of 4 surviving covers with this mark recorded. It has appeared at auction with Philaindia, Auction 2 Phila India Stamps, lot 1, (Aug 9, 2025).