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 · 10 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

Lot 109

Provenance

Derek Hammond Giles

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-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 lot 109.

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 lot 109.
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 10 surviving covers with this mark recorded. It has appeared at auction with Spink, lot 109.