COV-1044 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Calcutta, Bengal Presidency of 18 February 1786, bearing the Calcutta HG 3 handstamp in black. Calcutta: 1786 (18 Feb.) entire letter from London to Calcutta "p Oxford" showing "BEARING POSTAGE" (HG 3) good strike, no other postal markings. Rare early letter.

How scarce is the Calcutta HG 3 mark on this cover?

The census grades Calcutta HG 3 as rare, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1776–1789.

When was COV-1044 posted?

COV-1044 is dated 18 February 1786, within the recorded period of use of Calcutta HG 3 (1776–1789).

COV-1044

18 February 1786 Calcutta Cover

Back to census|Calcutta HG 3 · 9 covers recorded

← COV-77 COV-1045 →

Pre-stamp cover of India — 18 February 1786, Calcutta HG 3 handstruck folded letter (COV-1044)

Scan or Photo Courtesy of Spink

Date

18 February 1786

Description

Calcutta: 1786 (18 Feb.) entire letter from London to Calcutta "p Oxford" showing "BEARING POSTAGE" (HG 3) good strike, no other postal markings. Rare early letter.

Auction

Spink

Lot 45

Provenance

Dr. Soli Contractor

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-1044 is a Calcutta pre stamp cover of 18 February 1786 bearing the Calcutta HG 3 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?

Calcutta: 1786 (18 Feb.) entire letter from London to Calcutta "p Oxford" showing "BEARING POSTAGE" (HG 3) good strike, no other postal markings. Rare early letter.

Its recorded auction history runs through Spink lot 45.

1 image of COV-1044 is recorded; the Calcutta HG 3 mark itself is recorded in use 1776–1789.

Questions about COV-1044

What is COV-1044?: COV-1044 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Calcutta, Bengal Presidency of 18 February 1786, bearing the Calcutta HG 3 handstamp in black. Calcutta: 1786 (18 Feb.) entire letter from London to Calcutta "p Oxford" showing "BEARING POSTAGE" (HG 3) good strike, no other postal markings. Rare early letter.
How scarce is the Calcutta HG 3 mark on this cover?: The census grades Calcutta HG 3 as rare, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1776–1789.
What is the provenance of COV-1044?: Its recorded auction history runs through Spink lot 45.
When was COV-1044 posted?: COV-1044 is dated 18 February 1786, within the recorded period of use of Calcutta HG 3 (1776–1789).

About this record

This 18 February 1786 pre stamp cover of British India bears the Calcutta HG 3 handstamp of the Bengal Presidency, a mark graded “Rare” in this census — one of 9 surviving covers with this mark recorded. It has appeared at auction with Spink, lot 45.