How scarce is the Calcutta HG 4 mark on this cover?

The census grades Calcutta HG 4 as rare, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1787.

When was COV-78 posted?

COV-78 is dated 1787, within the recorded period of use of Calcutta HG 4 (1787).

COV-78

1787 Calcutta Cover

Back to census|Calcutta HG 4

Pre-stamp cover of India — 1787, Calcutta HG 4 handstruck folded letter (COV-78) — front

Pre-stamp cover of India — Calcutta HG 4, back (COV-78) — back

Scan or Photo Courtesy of Siegel Auction Galleries

Date

1787

Description

INDIA, Calcutta, 1787, "GPO.BEAR/Nov 1787" Handstamp (Giles 4). Two clear boxed strikes with manuscript "20" (Nov. 20) date added on top flap of folded cover in transit with manuscript Nov. 6, 1787 despatch docketing and "Left Ingeram 8th November" along top, addressed to Dacca, manuscript "Postpd to Gunjam" and "Bearing Postage 6fs" on bottom flap, some soiling along file folds also affect Calcutta markings, small hole on front panel of little consequence FINE STRIKES OF THE CALCUTTA "GPO.BEAR" HANDSTAMP USED IN TRANSIT ON COVER FROM INGERAM TO DACCA. This marking is noted as very scarce by Giles and was changed yearly to reflect the correct date. This cover was prepaid from Ingeram to Ganjam which served as the transfer point from the Madras Presidency into Bengal. A further 8as was applied from Ganjam to Calcutta and 9as from Calcutta to Dacca.

Auction

Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries

Sale 1301, Lot 6009

Provenance

Jagmohan Kapur Magnolia

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-78 is a Calcutta pre stamp cover of 1787 bearing the Calcutta HG 4 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 Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries Sale 1301 lot 6009.

2 images of COV-78 are recorded (front, back); the Calcutta HG 4 mark itself is recorded in use 1787.

Questions about COV-78

What is COV-78?: COV-78 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Calcutta, Bengal Presidency of 1787, bearing the Calcutta HG 4 handstamp in black. INDIA, Calcutta, 1787, "GPO.BEAR/Nov 1787" Handstamp (Giles 4). Two clear boxed strikes with manuscript "20" (Nov. 20) date added on top flap of folded cover in transit with manuscript Nov. 6, 1787 despatch docketing and "Left Ingeram 8th November" along top, addressed to Dacca, manuscript "Postpd to Gunjam" and "Bearing Postage 6fs" on bottom flap, some soiling along file folds also affect Calcutta markings, small hole on front panel of little consequence FINE STRIKES OF THE CALCUTTA "GPO.BEAR" HANDSTAMP USED IN TRANSIT ON COVER FROM INGERAM TO DACCA. This marking is noted as very scarce by Giles and was changed yearly to reflect the correct date. This cover was prepaid from Ingeram to Ganjam which served as the transfer point from the Madras Presidency into Bengal. A further 8as was applied from Ganjam to Calcutta and 9as from Calcutta to Dacca.
How scarce is the Calcutta HG 4 mark on this cover?: The census grades Calcutta HG 4 as rare, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1787.
What is the provenance of COV-78?: Its recorded auction history runs through Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries Sale 1301 lot 6009.
When was COV-78 posted?: COV-78 is dated 1787, within the recorded period of use of Calcutta HG 4 (1787).

About this record

This 1787 pre stamp cover of British India bears the Calcutta HG 4 handstamp of the Bengal Presidency, a mark graded “Rare” in this census — the only surviving cover with this mark recorded so far. It has appeared at auction with Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries, Sale 1301, lot 6009.