COV-1649 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Calcutta, Bengal Presidency of 1788, bearing the Calcutta HG 5 handstamp in black. 1788 Entire to Dacca showing, on reverse, a good strike of the framed "GPO Post Pd/Jan 1788" (HG 5); two filing creases, one just affecting the corner of the h.s.

How scarce is the Calcutta HG 5 mark on this cover?

The census grades Calcutta HG 5 as rare, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1788.

When was COV-1649 posted?

COV-1649 is dated 1788, within the recorded period of use of Calcutta HG 5 (1788).

COV-1649

1788 Calcutta Cover

Back to census|Calcutta HG 5

Pre-stamp cover of India — 1788, Calcutta HG 5 handstruck folded letter (COV-1649) — front

Pre-stamp cover of India — Calcutta HG 5, scan 2 (COV-1649)

Scan or Photo Courtesy of Spink

Date

1788

Description

1788 Entire to Dacca showing, on reverse, a good strike of the framed "GPO Post Pd/Jan 1788" (HG 5); two filing creases, one just affecting the corner of the h.s.

Auction

Spink

Lot 9

Provenance

Hammond Derek 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-1649 is a Calcutta pre stamp cover of 1788 bearing the Calcutta HG 5 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?

1788 Entire to Dacca showing, on reverse, a good strike of the framed "GPO Post Pd/Jan 1788" (HG 5); two filing creases, one just affecting the corner of the h.s.

Its recorded auction history runs through Spink lot 9.

2 images of COV-1649 are recorded (front); the Calcutta HG 5 mark itself is recorded in use 1788.

Questions about COV-1649

What is COV-1649?: COV-1649 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Calcutta, Bengal Presidency of 1788, bearing the Calcutta HG 5 handstamp in black. 1788 Entire to Dacca showing, on reverse, a good strike of the framed "GPO Post Pd/Jan 1788" (HG 5); two filing creases, one just affecting the corner of the h.s.
How scarce is the Calcutta HG 5 mark on this cover?: The census grades Calcutta HG 5 as rare, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1788.
What is the provenance of COV-1649?: Its recorded auction history runs through Spink lot 9.
When was COV-1649 posted?: COV-1649 is dated 1788, within the recorded period of use of Calcutta HG 5 (1788).

About this record

This 1788 pre stamp cover of British India bears the Calcutta HG 5 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 Spink, lot 9.