COV-20 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Calcutta, Bengal Presidency, bearing the Calcutta SD11 handstamp in black. Clear strike in red on back of blue folded letter to London, sender's directive "p Oriental Str via Marseilles", additionally endorsed "after packet". Very Fine.

How scarce is the Calcutta SD11 mark on this cover?

The census grades Calcutta SD11 as very common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1837–1855.

COV-20

Calcutta Cover

Back to census|Calcutta SD11 · 25 covers recorded

COV-42 →

Pre-stamp cover of India — Calcutta SD11 handstruck folded letter (COV-20) — front

Pre-stamp cover of India — Calcutta SD11, back (COV-20) — back

Scan or Photo Courtesy of Siegel Auction Galleries

Description

Clear strike in red on back of blue folded letter to London, sender's directive "p Oriental Str via Marseilles", additionally endorsed "after packet". Very Fine.

Auction

Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries

Sale 9054, Lot 10018, — Magnolia Collection Part 7

Provenance

•2026, Siegel Auction Galleries, Sale 9054, Lot 10018, Realized $475— The Magnolia Collection: India Postal History, Part 7 (Robert C. Bauer)

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-20 is a Calcutta pre stamp cover bearing the Calcutta SD11 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?

Clear strike in red on back of blue folded letter to London, sender's directive "p Oriental Str via Marseilles", additionally endorsed "after packet". Very Fine.

Its recorded auction history runs through Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries Sale 9054 lot 10018.

2 images of COV-20 are recorded (front, back); the Calcutta SD11 mark itself is recorded in use 1837–1855.

Questions about COV-20

What is COV-20?: COV-20 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Calcutta, Bengal Presidency, bearing the Calcutta SD11 handstamp in black. Clear strike in red on back of blue folded letter to London, sender's directive "p Oriental Str via Marseilles", additionally endorsed "after packet". Very Fine.
How scarce is the Calcutta SD11 mark on this cover?: The census grades Calcutta SD11 as very common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1837–1855.
What is the provenance of COV-20?: Its recorded auction history runs through Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries Sale 9054 lot 10018.

About this record

This pre-1854 pre stamp cover of British India bears the Calcutta SD11 handstamp of the Bengal Presidency, a mark graded “Very common” in this census — one of 25 surviving covers with this mark recorded. It has appeared at auction with Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries, Sale 9054, lot 10018. Recorded prices realized: $475, Siegel Auction Galleries, (2026).