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Hand Struck Stamps

COV-2351

18 June 1802 Calcutta Cover

Back to census|Calcutta HG 11 · 16 covers recorded
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Pre-stamp cover of India — 18 June 1802, Calcutta HG 11 handstruck folded letter (COV-2351)
front
Pre-stamp cover of India — Calcutta HG 11, front (COV-2351)
front

Scan or Photo Courtesy of Cavendish Philatelic Auctions Ltd

Date

18 June 1802

Description

MADRAS/CALCUTTA - NAPOLEONIC PERIOD COVER WITH BOTH MADRAS “Post not Paid” & CALCUTTA OVAL D.S.; 4 Jan. 1802 EL from London (part c.d.s. but no postal charge or prepayment) to Doctor Dinwiddie (the scientist James Dinwiddie, 1746-1815; see D.N.B.) in Calcutta but having a mainly fine oval-framed Madras “Post not Paid” with separate “18 Jun” (HG3) on the lower flap and also having a very fine double-oval Calcutta “G.P.O./JULY [3]/Bg. Pg.[1 8]” (1 rupee & 8 annas). Written in the third person on behalf of the blind General [Robert] Melville (1723- 1809; with copy of D.N.B. article); an amusing letter of reminiscence referring to his West Indies Governorships, etc. Exhibition Item. PHOTO - see page 63.

Auction

Cavendish Philatelic Auctions LtdCavendish Philatelic Auctions Ltd

Manning, Lot 205, (Sept. 2015)

Provenance

Michael Manning

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-2351 is a Calcutta pre stamp cover of 18 June 1802 bearing the Calcutta HG 11 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?

MADRAS/CALCUTTA - NAPOLEONIC PERIOD COVER WITH BOTH MADRAS “Post not Paid” & CALCUTTA OVAL D.S.; 4 Jan. 1802 EL from London (part c.d.s. but no postal charge or prepayment) to Doctor Dinwiddie (the scientist James Dinwiddie, 1746-1815; see D.N.B.) in Calcutta but having a mainly fine oval-framed Madras “Post not Paid” with separate “18 Jun” (HG3) on the lower flap and also having a very fine double-oval Calcutta “G.P.O./JULY [3]/Bg. Pg.[1 8]” (1 rupee & 8 annas). Written in the third person on behalf of the blind General [Robert] Melville (1723- 1809; with copy of D.N.B. article); an amusing letter of reminiscence referring to his West Indies Governorships, etc. Exhibition Item. PHOTO - see page 63.

Its recorded auction history runs through Cavendish Philatelic Auctions Ltd Manning lot 205 (Sept. 2015).

2 images of COV-2351 are recorded (front); the Calcutta HG 11 mark itself is recorded in use 1791–1818.

Questions about COV-2351

What is COV-2351?
COV-2351 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Calcutta, Bengal Presidency of 18 June 1802, bearing the Calcutta HG 11 handstamp in black. MADRAS/CALCUTTA - NAPOLEONIC PERIOD COVER WITH BOTH MADRAS “Post not Paid” & CALCUTTA OVAL D.S.; 4 Jan. 1802 EL from London (part c.d.s. but no postal charge or prepayment) to Doctor Dinwiddie (the scientist James Dinwiddie, 1746-1815; see D.N.B.) in Calcutta but having a mainly fine oval-framed Madras “Post not Paid” with separate “18 Jun” (HG3) on the lower flap and also having a very fine double-oval Calcutta “G.P.O./JULY [3]/Bg. Pg.[1 8]” (1 rupee & 8 annas). Written in the third person on behalf of the blind General [Robert] Melville (1723- 1809; with copy of D.N.B. article); an amusing letter of reminiscence referring to his West Indies Governorships, etc. Exhibition Item. PHOTO - see page 63.
How scarce is the Calcutta HG 11 mark on this cover?
The census grades Calcutta HG 11 as very common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1791–1818.
What is the provenance of COV-2351?
Its recorded auction history runs through Cavendish Philatelic Auctions Ltd Manning lot 205 (Sept. 2015).
When was COV-2351 posted?
COV-2351 is dated 18 June 1802, within the recorded period of use of Calcutta HG 11 (1791–1818).

About this record

This 18 June 1802 pre stamp cover of British India bears the Calcutta HG 11 handstamp of the Bengal Presidency, a mark graded “Very common” in this census — one of 16 surviving covers with this mark recorded. It has appeared at auction with Cavendish Philatelic Auctions Ltd, Manning, lot 205, (Sept. 2015).