How scarce is the Calcutta HG 11a mark on this cover?

The census grades Calcutta HG 11a as very common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1791–1822.

When was COV-526 posted?

COV-526 is dated 18 May 1794, within the recorded period of use of Calcutta HG 11a (1791–1822).

COV-526

18 May 1794 Calcutta Cover

Back to census|Calcutta HG 11a · 3 covers recorded

COV-3963 →

Pre-stamp cover of India — 18 May 1794, Calcutta HG 11a handstruck folded letter (COV-526) — front

Pre-stamp cover of India — Calcutta HG 11a, back (COV-526) — back

Scan or Photo Courtesy of Gowtham BJ

Date

18 May 1794

Description

Entire posted from Madura cantonment to Calcutta addressed to William Dick Esq, Surgeon with manuscript indicating PostPaid 12 Fanams on 18th May 1794 along with HG11a GPO hand stamp indicating bearing postage of 5 Fanams.As this cover was transferred from Madras territory to Bengal territory, maximum postage was paid? Distance traveled 1050 miles.

Auction

Private

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-526 is a Calcutta pre stamp cover of 18 May 1794 bearing the Calcutta HG 11a 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 Private.

2 images of COV-526 are recorded (front, back); the Calcutta HG 11a mark itself is recorded in use 1791–1822.

Questions about COV-526

What is COV-526?: COV-526 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Calcutta, Bengal Presidency of 18 May 1794, bearing the Calcutta HG 11a handstamp in black. Entire posted from Madura cantonment to Calcutta addressed to William Dick Esq, Surgeon with manuscript indicating PostPaid 12 Fanams on 18th May 1794 along with HG11a GPO hand stamp indicating bearing postage of 5 Fanams.As this cover was transferred from Madras territory to Bengal territory, maximum postage was paid? Distance traveled 1050 miles.
How scarce is the Calcutta HG 11a mark on this cover?: The census grades Calcutta HG 11a as very common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1791–1822.
What is the provenance of COV-526?: Its recorded auction history runs through Private.
When was COV-526 posted?: COV-526 is dated 18 May 1794, within the recorded period of use of Calcutta HG 11a (1791–1822).

About this record

This 18 May 1794 pre stamp cover of British India bears the Calcutta HG 11a handstamp of the Bengal Presidency, a mark graded “Very common” in this census — one of 3 surviving covers with this mark recorded. It has appeared at auction with Private.