COV-5591 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Calcutta, Bengal Presidency of 1850, bearing the Calcutta HG 24 handstamp in red. 1850 cover sent from Calcutta to Murshidabad tied by CALCUTTA/Paid 2as (Giles# 24) in red with rectangular boxed ‘Receiving House No. 4’ in black on alongside

How scarce is the Calcutta HG 24 mark on this cover?

The census grades Calcutta HG 24 as very common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1839–1851.

When was COV-5591 posted?

COV-5591 is dated 1850, within the recorded period of use of Calcutta HG 24 (1839–1851).

COV-5591

1850 Calcutta Cover

Back to census|Calcutta HG 24

Pre-stamp cover of India — 1850, Calcutta HG 24 handstruck folded letter (COV-5591)

Pre-stamp cover of India — Calcutta HG 24, scan 2 (COV-5591)

Scan or Photo Courtesy of Collector Bazar

Date

1850

Description

1850 cover sent from Calcutta to Murshidabad tied by CALCUTTA/Paid 2as (Giles# 24) in red with rectangular boxed ‘Receiving House No. 4’ in black on alongside

Auction

collectorbazar

Online Auction No. 26 — British India - Postal History, Cancellations & Postmarks (27 September 2026), Lot 26B17, (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-5591 is a Calcutta pre stamp cover of 1850 bearing the Calcutta HG 24 handstamp, struck in red, recorded in the census of Calcutta postal history — the office known today as Kolkata, Bengal Presidency. What is a pre stamp cover?

1850 cover sent from Calcutta to Murshidabad tied by CALCUTTA/Paid 2as (Giles# 24) in red with rectangular boxed ‘Receiving House No. 4’ in black on alongside

Its recorded auction history runs through Collector Bazar Online Auction No. 26 — British India - Postal History, Cancellations & Postmarks (27 September 2026) lot 26B17 (2026).

2 images of COV-5591 are recorded; the Calcutta HG 24 mark itself is recorded in use 1839–1851.

Questions about COV-5591

What is COV-5591?: COV-5591 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Calcutta, Bengal Presidency of 1850, bearing the Calcutta HG 24 handstamp in red. 1850 cover sent from Calcutta to Murshidabad tied by CALCUTTA/Paid 2as (Giles# 24) in red with rectangular boxed ‘Receiving House No. 4’ in black on alongside
How scarce is the Calcutta HG 24 mark on this cover?: The census grades Calcutta HG 24 as very common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1839–1851.
What is the provenance of COV-5591?: Its recorded auction history runs through Collector Bazar Online Auction No. 26 — British India - Postal History, Cancellations & Postmarks (27 September 2026) lot 26B17 (2026).
When was COV-5591 posted?: COV-5591 is dated 1850, within the recorded period of use of Calcutta HG 24 (1839–1851).

About this record

This 1850 pre stamp cover of British India bears the Calcutta HG 24 handstamp of the Bengal Presidency, a mark graded “Very common” in this census — the only surviving cover with this mark recorded so far. It has appeared at auction with collectorbazar, Online Auction No. 26 — British India - Postal History, Cancellations & Postmarks (27 September 2026), lot 26B17, (2026).