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-5595 posted?

COV-5595 is dated 1844, within the recorded period of use of Calcutta SD12 (1837–1851).

COV-5595

1844 Calcutta Cover

Back to census|Calcutta SD12 · 30 covers recorded

← COV-5405

Pre-stamp cover of India — 1844, Calcutta SD12 handstruck folded letter (COV-5595)

Pre-stamp cover of India — Calcutta SD12, scan 2 (COV-5595)

Pre-stamp cover of India — Calcutta SD12, scan 3 (COV-5595)

Scan or Photo Courtesy of Collector Bazar

Date

1844

Description

1844 Entire Letter India UK mail via Suez Canal from Calcutta with "CALCUTTA/STEAM LETTER) via Bombay to London with INDIA in red cachet with detail written on album page

Auction

collectorbazar

Online Auction No. 26 — British India - Postal History, Cancellations & Postmarks (27 September 2026), Lot 26B05, (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-5595 is a Calcutta pre stamp cover of 1844 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?

1844 Entire Letter India UK mail via Suez Canal from Calcutta with "CALCUTTA/STEAM LETTER) via Bombay to London with INDIA in red cachet with detail written on album page

Its recorded auction history runs through Collector Bazar Online Auction No. 26 — British India - Postal History, Cancellations & Postmarks (27 September 2026) lot 26B05 (2026).

3 images of COV-5595 are recorded; the Calcutta SD12 mark itself is recorded in use 1837–1851.

Questions about COV-5595

What is COV-5595?: COV-5595 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Calcutta, Bengal Presidency of 1844, bearing the Calcutta SD12 handstamp in red. 1844 Entire Letter India UK mail via Suez Canal from Calcutta with "CALCUTTA/STEAM LETTER) via Bombay to London with INDIA in red cachet with detail written on album page
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-5595?: Its recorded auction history runs through Collector Bazar Online Auction No. 26 — British India - Postal History, Cancellations & Postmarks (27 September 2026) lot 26B05 (2026).
When was COV-5595 posted?: COV-5595 is dated 1844, within the recorded period of use of Calcutta SD12 (1837–1851).

About this record

This 1844 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 collectorbazar, Online Auction No. 26 — British India - Postal History, Cancellations & Postmarks (27 September 2026), lot 26B05, (2026).