How scarce is the Calcutta HG 6 mark on this cover?

The census grades Calcutta HG 6 as rare, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1788.

When was COV-1047 posted?

COV-1047 is dated 19 May 1788, within the recorded period of use of Calcutta HG 6 (1788).

COV-1047

19 May 1788 Calcutta Cover

Back to census|Calcutta HG 6

Pre-stamp cover of India — 19 May 1788, Calcutta HG 6 handstruck folded letter (COV-1047) — front

Pre-stamp cover of India — Calcutta HG 6, scan 2 (COV-1047)

Scan or Photo Courtesy of Spink

Date

19 May 1788

Description

Calcutta: 1788 (19 May) entire (filing crease) from Fort St. George (Madras) to Dacca, annotated "Double 16 As" and showing oval-framed "Post Paid/Fort St. George" with handstruck date (HG 1) and boxed "BEARING POSTAGE/JUNE 1788" (HG 6). Very scarce early item.

Auction

Spink

Lot 49

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-1047 is a Calcutta pre stamp cover of 19 May 1788 bearing the Calcutta HG 6 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 Spink lot 49.

2 images of COV-1047 are recorded (front); the Calcutta HG 6 mark itself is recorded in use 1788.

Questions about COV-1047

What is COV-1047?: COV-1047 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Calcutta, Bengal Presidency of 19 May 1788, bearing the Calcutta HG 6 handstamp in black. Calcutta: 1788 (19 May) entire (filing crease) from Fort St. George (Madras) to Dacca, annotated "Double 16 As" and showing oval-framed "Post Paid/Fort St. George" with handstruck date (HG 1) and boxed "BEARING POSTAGE/JUNE 1788" (HG 6). Very scarce early item.
How scarce is the Calcutta HG 6 mark on this cover?: The census grades Calcutta HG 6 as rare, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1788.
What is the provenance of COV-1047?: Its recorded auction history runs through Spink lot 49.
When was COV-1047 posted?: COV-1047 is dated 19 May 1788, within the recorded period of use of Calcutta HG 6 (1788).

About this record

This 19 May 1788 pre stamp cover of British India bears the Calcutta HG 6 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 49.