How scarce is the Calcutta HG 12 mark on this cover?

The census grades Calcutta HG 12 as common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1807–1818.

When was COV-1651 posted?

COV-1651 is dated 1815, within the recorded period of use of Calcutta HG 12 (1807–1818).

COV-1651

1815 Calcutta Cover

Back to census|Calcutta HG 12 · 3 covers recorded

← COV-212 COV-2146 →

Pre-stamp cover of India — 1815, Calcutta HG 12 handstruck folded letter (COV-1651)

Scan or Photo Courtesy of Spink

Date

1815

Description

Calcutta: 1815 (c.) entire (toned) sent "Service" from the Persian Secretary's Office (part wax seal on reverse) to the "Resident in Mysore" showing, on reverse across join, framed "POST FREE" (HG 12) alongside G.P.O. c.d.s. in red.

Auction

Spink

Giles, Lot 14, (Oct. 2000)

Spink

Lot 168, (Oct. 2001)

Provenance

Derek Hammond Giles

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-1651 is a Calcutta pre stamp cover of 1815 bearing the Calcutta HG 12 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 Spink Giles lot 14 (Oct. 2000); and Spink lot 168 (Oct. 2001).

1 image of COV-1651 is recorded; the Calcutta HG 12 mark itself is recorded in use 1807–1818.

Questions about COV-1651

What is COV-1651?: COV-1651 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Calcutta, Bengal Presidency of 1815, bearing the Calcutta HG 12 handstamp in black. Calcutta: 1815 (c.) entire (toned) sent "Service" from the Persian Secretary's Office (part wax seal on reverse) to the "Resident in Mysore" showing, on reverse across join, framed "POST FREE" (HG 12) alongside G.P.O. c.d.s. in red.
How scarce is the Calcutta HG 12 mark on this cover?: The census grades Calcutta HG 12 as common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1807–1818.
What is the provenance of COV-1651?: Its recorded auction history runs through Spink Giles lot 14 (Oct. 2000); and Spink lot 168 (Oct. 2001).
When was COV-1651 posted?: COV-1651 is dated 1815, within the recorded period of use of Calcutta HG 12 (1807–1818).

About this record

This 1815 pre stamp cover of British India bears the Calcutta HG 12 handstamp of the Bengal Presidency, a mark graded “Common” in this census — one of 3 surviving covers with this mark recorded. It has appeared at auction with Spink, Giles, lot 14, (Oct. 2000); Spink, lot 168, (Oct. 2001).