How scarce is the Calcutta HG 8 mark on this cover?

The census grades Calcutta HG 8 as very scarce, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1788–1789.

When was COV-2369 posted?

COV-2369 is dated December 1788, within the recorded period of use of Calcutta HG 8 (1788–1789).

COV-2369

December 1788 Calcutta Cover

Back to census|Calcutta HG 8 · 3 covers recorded

← COV-738 COV-4765 →

Pre-stamp cover of India — December 1788, Calcutta HG 8 handstruck folded letter (COV-2369) — front

Pre-stamp cover of India — Calcutta HG 8, scan 2 (COV-2369)

Scan or Photo Courtesy of Robson Lowe

Date

December 1788

Description

Postal cover from vizagapatam (madras), bearing HG 1 handstamp in Black. Dated December 1788. Note: Rare - used with 2 - separate stamps. Scarce example of postal history from this office.

Auction

Robson Lowe

Frenkle, Lot 16, (Jan. 1977)

Provenance

H.H. Frenkle

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-2369 is a Calcutta pre stamp cover of December 1788 bearing the Calcutta HG 8 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 vizagapatam (madras), bearing HG 1 handstamp in Black. Dated December 1788. Note: Rare - used with 2 - separate stamps. Scarce example of postal history from this office.

Its recorded auction history runs through Robson Lowe Frenkle lot 16 (Jan. 1977).

2 images of COV-2369 are recorded (front); the Calcutta HG 8 mark itself is recorded in use 1788–1789.

Questions about COV-2369

What is COV-2369?: COV-2369 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Calcutta, Bengal Presidency of December 1788, bearing the Calcutta HG 8 handstamp in black. Postal cover from vizagapatam (madras), bearing HG 1 handstamp in Black. Dated December 1788. Note: Rare - used with 2 - separate stamps. Scarce example of postal history from this office.
How scarce is the Calcutta HG 8 mark on this cover?: The census grades Calcutta HG 8 as very scarce, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1788–1789.
What is the provenance of COV-2369?: Its recorded auction history runs through Robson Lowe Frenkle lot 16 (Jan. 1977).
When was COV-2369 posted?: COV-2369 is dated December 1788, within the recorded period of use of Calcutta HG 8 (1788–1789).

About this record

This December 1788 pre stamp cover of British India bears the Calcutta HG 8 handstamp of the Bengal Presidency, a mark graded “Very scarce” in this census — one of 3 surviving covers with this mark recorded. It has appeared at auction with Robson Lowe, Frenkle, lot 16, (Jan. 1977).