COV-3698 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Calcutta, Bengal Presidency of 23 July 1840, bearing the Calcutta HG 22 handstamp in black. United Kingdom 1840 entire letter from Jersey to Calcutta, prepaid via London with forwarding agent's mark. Features red wax seal, postal markings, and Bombay bearing.

How scarce is the Calcutta HG 22 mark on this cover?

The census grades Calcutta HG 22 as very common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1837–1854.

When was COV-3698 posted?

COV-3698 is dated 23 July 1840, within the recorded period of use of Calcutta HG 22 (1837–1854).

COV-3698

23 July 1840 Calcutta Cover

Back to census|Calcutta HG 22 · 16 covers recorded

← COV-3534 COV-3800 →

Pre-stamp cover of India — 23 July 1840, Calcutta HG 22 handstruck folded letter (COV-3698)

Pre-stamp cover of India — Calcutta HG 22, scan 2 (COV-3698)

Pre-stamp cover of India — Calcutta HG 22, scan 3 (COV-3698)

Scan or Photo Courtesy of Sephils

Date

23 July 1840

Description

United Kingdom 1840 entire letter from Jersey to Calcutta, prepaid via London with forwarding agent's mark. Features red wax seal, postal markings, and Bombay bearing.

Auction

Sephils

528, Lot 0082, (2026)

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-3698 is a Calcutta pre stamp cover of 23 July 1840 bearing the Calcutta HG 22 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?

United Kingdom 1840 entire letter from Jersey to Calcutta, prepaid via London with forwarding agent's mark. Features red wax seal, postal markings, and Bombay bearing.

Its recorded auction history runs through Sephils 528 lot 0082 (2026).

3 images of COV-3698 are recorded; the Calcutta HG 22 mark itself is recorded in use 1837–1854.

Questions about COV-3698

What is COV-3698?: COV-3698 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Calcutta, Bengal Presidency of 23 July 1840, bearing the Calcutta HG 22 handstamp in black. United Kingdom 1840 entire letter from Jersey to Calcutta, prepaid via London with forwarding agent's mark. Features red wax seal, postal markings, and Bombay bearing.
How scarce is the Calcutta HG 22 mark on this cover?: The census grades Calcutta HG 22 as very common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1837–1854.
What is the provenance of COV-3698?: Its recorded auction history runs through Sephils 528 lot 0082 (2026).
When was COV-3698 posted?: COV-3698 is dated 23 July 1840, within the recorded period of use of Calcutta HG 22 (1837–1854).

About this record

This 23 July 1840 pre stamp cover of British India bears the Calcutta HG 22 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 Sephils, 528, lot 0082, (2026).