COV-1859 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Calcutta, Bengal Presidency of June 1786, bearing the Calcutta HG 3 handstamp in black. Postal cover from ganjam (madras), bearing HG 1 handstamp in Black. Dated June 1786. Note: Rare - 2 examples recorded. Scarce example of postal history from this office.

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-1859 posted?

COV-1859 is dated June 1786, within the recorded period of use of Calcutta HG 3 (1776–1789).

COV-1859

June 1786 Calcutta Cover

Back to census|Calcutta HG 3 · 9 covers recorded

← COV-1368 COV-2143 →

Pre-stamp cover of India — June 1786, Calcutta HG 3 handstruck folded letter (COV-1859) — front

Pre-stamp cover of India — Calcutta HG 3, scan 2 (COV-1859)

Scan or Photo Courtesy of Spink

Date

June 1786

Description

Postal cover from ganjam (madras), bearing HG 1 handstamp in Black. Dated June 1786. Note: Rare - 2 examples recorded. Scarce example of postal history from this office.

Auction

Spink

The Derek Hammond Giles Collection (Sale 1267), Lot 109, (25 October 2000)

Provenance

Derek Hammond Giles

Same office

Other recorded marks at Calcutta

184 marks

184 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.

+178 more at this office.View all Calcutta marks and postal history →

About this Calcutta pre stamp cover

COV-1859 is a Calcutta pre stamp cover of June 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?

Postal cover from ganjam (madras), bearing HG 1 handstamp in Black. Dated June 1786. Note: Rare - 2 examples recorded. Scarce example of postal history from this office.

Its recorded auction history runs through Spink The Derek Hammond Giles Collection (Sale 1267) lot 109 (25 October 2000).

2 images of COV-1859 are recorded (front); the Calcutta HG 3 mark itself is recorded in use 1776–1789.

Questions about COV-1859

What is COV-1859?: COV-1859 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Calcutta, Bengal Presidency of June 1786, bearing the Calcutta HG 3 handstamp in black. Postal cover from ganjam (madras), bearing HG 1 handstamp in Black. Dated June 1786. Note: Rare - 2 examples recorded. Scarce example of postal history from this office.
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-1859?: Its recorded auction history runs through Spink The Derek Hammond Giles Collection (Sale 1267) lot 109 (25 October 2000).
When was COV-1859 posted?: COV-1859 is dated June 1786, within the recorded period of use of Calcutta HG 3 (1776–1789).

About this record

This June 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, The Derek Hammond Giles Collection (Sale 1267), lot 109, (25 October 2000).