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.

When was COV-4908 posted?

COV-4908 is dated 1843, within the recorded period of use of Calcutta SD11 (1837–1855).

COV-4908

1843 Calcutta SD11 Cover

Back to census|Calcutta SD11 · 19 covers recorded

← COV-4066 COV-4911 →

Pre-stamp cover of India — 1843, Calcutta SD11 handstruck folded letter (COV-4908)

Pre-stamp cover of India — Calcutta SD11, scan 2 (COV-4908)

Scan or Photo Courtesy of Argyll Etkin Auctions

Date

1843

Description

1824-47 Entire letters (4), part entire and a front from India to G.B, one with double ring Benares Post Paid datestamp, and an 1831 entire letter from Dublin to Nagpoor redirected to Pondicherry with oval "BOMBAY / G.P.O / POSTAGE NOT PAID". (7).

Auction

Argyll Etkin

G.B & Worldwide Stamps and Postal History, Lot 986, (2025)

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-4908 is a Calcutta pre stamp cover of 1843 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?

Its recorded auction history runs through Argyll Etkin Limited G.B & Worldwide Stamps and Postal History lot 986 (2025).

2 images of COV-4908 are recorded; the Calcutta SD11 mark itself is recorded in use 1837–1855.

Questions about COV-4908

What is COV-4908?: COV-4908 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Calcutta, Bengal Presidency of 1843, bearing the Calcutta SD11 handstamp in black. 1824-47 Entire letters (4), part entire and a front from India to G.B, one with double ring Benares Post Paid datestamp, and an 1831 entire letter from Dublin to Nagpoor redirected to Pondicherry with oval "BOMBAY / G.P.O / POSTAGE NOT PAID". (7).
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-4908?: Its recorded auction history runs through Argyll Etkin Limited G.B & Worldwide Stamps and Postal History lot 986 (2025).
When was COV-4908 posted?: COV-4908 is dated 1843, within the recorded period of use of Calcutta SD11 (1837–1855).

About this record

This 1843 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 19 surviving covers with this mark recorded. It has appeared at auction with Argyll Etkin, G.B & Worldwide Stamps and Postal History, lot 986, (2025).