How scarce is the Calcutta HG 27 mark on this cover?

The census grades Calcutta HG 27 as common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1847–1854.

When was COV-5028 posted?

COV-5028 is dated 1851, within the recorded period of use of Calcutta HG 27 (1847–1854).

COV-5028

1851 Calcutta Cover

Back to census|Calcutta HG 27 · 14 covers recorded

← COV-4941

Pre-stamp cover of India — 1851, Calcutta HG 27 handstruck folded letter (COV-5028)

Pre-stamp cover of India — Calcutta HG 27, scan 2 (COV-5028)

Scan or Photo Courtesy of David Feldman Auctions

Date

1851

Description

1851 (July 31) entire from Calcutta to a Capt Wright on “Barque Alneus” at anchorage at Kedgeree, red Calcutta despatch, received in Kedgeree on 1st August with unframed oval handstamp with manuscript date, scarce.

Auction

David Feldman

Autumn 2025 Auction Series — British Empire, Lot 50723, (2025)

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-5028 is a Calcutta pre stamp cover of 1851 bearing the Calcutta HG 27 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?

Its recorded auction history runs through David Feldman SA Autumn 2025 Auction Series — British Empire lot 50723 (2025).

2 images of COV-5028 are recorded; the Calcutta HG 27 mark itself is recorded in use 1847–1854.

Questions about COV-5028

What is COV-5028?: COV-5028 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Calcutta, Bengal Presidency of 1851, bearing the Calcutta HG 27 handstamp in red. 1851 (July 31) entire from Calcutta to a Capt Wright on “Barque Alneus” at anchorage at Kedgeree, red Calcutta despatch, received in Kedgeree on 1st August with unframed oval handstamp with manuscript date, scarce.
How scarce is the Calcutta HG 27 mark on this cover?: The census grades Calcutta HG 27 as common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1847–1854.
What is the provenance of COV-5028?: Its recorded auction history runs through David Feldman SA Autumn 2025 Auction Series — British Empire lot 50723 (2025).
When was COV-5028 posted?: COV-5028 is dated 1851, within the recorded period of use of Calcutta HG 27 (1847–1854).

About this record

This 1851 pre stamp cover of British India bears the Calcutta HG 27 handstamp of the Bengal Presidency, a mark graded “Common” in this census — one of 14 surviving covers with this mark recorded. It has appeared at auction with David Feldman, Autumn 2025 Auction Series — British Empire, lot 50723, (2025).