How scarce is the Calcutta SD12 mark on this cover?

The census grades Calcutta SD12 as very common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1837–1851.

When was COV-2082 posted?

COV-2082 is dated 11 January 1838, within the recorded period of use of Calcutta SD12 (1837–1851).

COV-2082

11 January 1838 Calcutta Cover

Back to census|Calcutta SD12 · 29 covers recorded

← COV-1899 COV-2820 →

Pre-stamp cover of India — 11 January 1838, Calcutta SD12 handstruck folded letter (COV-2082)

Scan or Photo Courtesy of Spink

Date

11 January 1838

Description

Calcutta: 1838 (11 Jan.) entire letter from Calcutta to London, marked "pr Steamer via Bombay" and showing rare deep oval "INDIA" (HG 7) in black (four examples recorded), superb oval-framed "Care of Mr Waghorn Suez", Alexandria c.d.s., boxed "INDES ORIEN/PAR/ALEXANDRIE", "BRITISH/FOREIGN" and, on reverse, Calcutta Steam Letter Paid datestamp (HG SD12), oval-framed "PURIFIE AU LAZARET/MALTE" and arrival c.d.s. Photo.

Auction

Spink

Lot 414, (Oct. 2000)

Provenance

Derek Hammond 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-2082 is a Calcutta pre stamp cover of 11 January 1838 bearing the Calcutta SD12 handstamp, struck in red, 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 414 (Oct. 2000).

1 image of COV-2082 is recorded; the Calcutta SD12 mark itself is recorded in use 1837–1851.

Questions about COV-2082

What is COV-2082?: COV-2082 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Calcutta, Bengal Presidency of 11 January 1838, bearing the Calcutta SD12 handstamp in red. Calcutta: 1838 (11 Jan.) entire letter from Calcutta to London, marked "pr Steamer via Bombay" and showing rare deep oval "INDIA" (HG 7) in black (four examples recorded), superb oval-framed "Care of Mr Waghorn Suez", Alexandria c.d.s., boxed "INDES ORIEN/PAR/ALEXANDRIE", "BRITISH/FOREIGN" and, on reverse, Calcutta Steam Letter Paid datestamp (HG SD12), oval-framed "PURIFIE AU LAZARET/MALTE" and arrival c.d.s. Photo.
How scarce is the Calcutta SD12 mark on this cover?: The census grades Calcutta SD12 as very common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1837–1851.
What is the provenance of COV-2082?: Its recorded auction history runs through Spink lot 414 (Oct. 2000).
When was COV-2082 posted?: COV-2082 is dated 11 January 1838, within the recorded period of use of Calcutta SD12 (1837–1851).

About this record

This 11 January 1838 pre stamp cover of British India bears the Calcutta SD12 handstamp of the Bengal Presidency, a mark graded “Very common” in this census — one of 29 surviving covers with this mark recorded. It has appeared at auction with Spink, lot 414, (Oct. 2000).