COV-4688 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Calcutta, Bengal Presidency of 1843, bearing the Calcutta SD12 handstamp in red. India 1843 prestamp cover marked "Overland Mail via Marseille" w/ red boxed "INDIA" from Calcutta to London UK

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-4688 posted?

COV-4688 is dated 1843, within the recorded period of use of Calcutta SD12 (1837–1851).

COV-4688

1843 Calcutta Cover

Back to census|Calcutta SD12 · 30 covers recorded

← COV-4586 COV-4816 →

Pre-stamp cover of India — 1843, Calcutta SD12 handstruck folded letter (COV-4688)

Pre-stamp cover of India — Calcutta SD12, scan 2 (COV-4688)

Pre-stamp cover of India — Calcutta SD12, scan 3 (COV-4688)

Scan or Photo Courtesy of Sephils

Date

1843

Description

India 1843 prestamp cover marked "Overland Mail via Marseille" w/ red boxed "INDIA" from Calcutta to London UK

Auction

Sephils

710, Lot 0102, (2026)

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-4688 is a Calcutta pre stamp cover of 1843 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?

India 1843 prestamp cover marked "Overland Mail via Marseille" w/ red boxed "INDIA" from Calcutta to London UK

Its recorded auction history runs through Sephils 710 lot 0102 (2026).

3 images of COV-4688 are recorded; the Calcutta SD12 mark itself is recorded in use 1837–1851.

Questions about COV-4688

What is COV-4688?: COV-4688 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Calcutta, Bengal Presidency of 1843, bearing the Calcutta SD12 handstamp in red. India 1843 prestamp cover marked "Overland Mail via Marseille" w/ red boxed "INDIA" from Calcutta to London UK
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-4688?: Its recorded auction history runs through Sephils 710 lot 0102 (2026).
When was COV-4688 posted?: COV-4688 is dated 1843, within the recorded period of use of Calcutta SD12 (1837–1851).

About this record

This 1843 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 30 surviving covers with this mark recorded. It has appeared at auction with Sephils, 710, lot 0102, (2026).