How scarce is the Calcutta HG 28 mark on this cover?

The census grades Calcutta HG 28 as common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1847–1854.

When was COV-4864 posted?

COV-4864 is dated 7 August 1851, within the recorded period of use of Calcutta HG 28 (1847–1854).

COV-4864

7 August 1851 Calcutta HG 28 Cover

Back to census|Calcutta HG 28 · 13 covers recorded

← COV-3906

7 August 1851 Calcutta HG 28 pre stamp cover — COV-4864

Scan or Photo Courtesy of Cavendish Philatelic Auctions Ltd

Date

7 August 1851

Description

PRESTAMP LOT INC. OVAL "FUTTYGHUR/POST PAID", "CAWNPORE//Pt. Pd.", MAIL TO CEYLON & C.G.H. (2), ETC.; 1821-51 covers inc. fine 1821 E ex Calcutta to Ceylon (redirected ex Colombo to Matele), 1838/53 pair to Cape Town (the first to the P.M.G. with red boxed "LUCKNOW/Paid [1-8]"), 1827/35 Es pair to Calcutta or G.B. with fair oval claret "FUTTYGHUR/POST PAID" or fair scarce black circular "CAWNPORE/Pt Pd" (crease), and later Calcutta group (covers to GB or Serampore + front/flaps pair to GB inc. one forwarded with v. fine Edinburgh dated "2" charge mark). (7 covers + 2 pieces/fronts) [Ex John Lea.]Cross Reference: CEYLON/SRI LANKA, CAPE OF GOOD HOPE, SHIP LETTERS

Auction

Cavendish Philatelic Auctions Ltd

Worldwide & Great Britain, Lot 528, (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-4864 is a Calcutta pre stamp cover of 7 August 1851 bearing the Calcutta HG 28 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 Cavendish Philatelic Auctions Ltd Worldwide & Great Britain lot 528 (2025).

1 image of COV-4864 is recorded; the Calcutta HG 28 mark itself is recorded in use 1847–1854.

Questions about COV-4864

What is COV-4864?: COV-4864 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Calcutta, Bengal Presidency of 7 August 1851, bearing the Calcutta HG 28 handstamp in black. PRESTAMP LOT INC. OVAL "FUTTYGHUR/POST PAID", "CAWNPORE//Pt. Pd.", MAIL TO CEYLON & C.G.H. (2), ETC.; 1821-51 covers inc. fine 1821 E ex Calcutta to Ceylon (redirected ex Colombo to Matele), 1838/53 pair to Cape Town (the first to the P.M.G. with red boxed "LUCKNOW/Paid [1-8]"), 1827/35 Es pair to Calcutta or G.B. with fair oval claret "FUTTYGHUR/POST PAID" or fair scarce black circular "CAWNPORE/Pt Pd" (crease), and later Calcutta group (covers to GB or Serampore + front/flaps pair to GB inc. one forwarded with v. fine Edinburgh dated "2" charge mark). (7 covers + 2 pieces/fronts) [Ex John Lea.]Cross Reference: CEYLON/SRI LANKA, CAPE OF GOOD HOPE, SHIP LETTERS
How scarce is the Calcutta HG 28 mark on this cover?: The census grades Calcutta HG 28 as common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1847–1854.
What is the provenance of COV-4864?: Its recorded auction history runs through Cavendish Philatelic Auctions Ltd Worldwide & Great Britain lot 528 (2025).
When was COV-4864 posted?: COV-4864 is dated 7 August 1851, within the recorded period of use of Calcutta HG 28 (1847–1854).

About this record

This 7 August 1851 pre stamp cover of British India bears the Calcutta HG 28 handstamp of the Bengal Presidency, a mark graded “Common” in this census — one of 13 surviving covers with this mark recorded. It has appeared at auction with Cavendish Philatelic Auctions Ltd, Worldwide & Great Britain, lot 528, (2025).