How scarce is the Calcutta SD16 mark on this cover?

The census grades Calcutta SD16 as very common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1838–1846.

When was COV-1695 posted?

COV-1695 is dated 8 January 1840, within the recorded period of use of Calcutta SD16 (1838–1846).

COV-1695

8 January 1840 Calcutta Cover

Back to census|Calcutta SD16 · 16 covers recorded

COV-3123 →

Pre-stamp cover of India — 8 January 1840, Calcutta SD16 handstruck folded letter (COV-1695) — front

Pre-stamp cover of India — Calcutta SD16, back (COV-1695) — back

Scan or Photo Courtesy of Vincent Polizatto

Date

8 January 1840

Description

Spink description: 1840 (8 Jan.) entire letter from Calcutta to Bordeaux, the address panel with superb strike of the black oval "Care of/Mr. Waghorn/Suez" h.s., framed "india" in red and manuscript "Via Bombay and Suez" adjacent; fine, rare and extremely attractive. Additional information: Framed "INDIA" h/s (HG SD16) and Calcutta Ship Letter Despatch h/s (HG SD13).

Auction

Spink

Lot 74, Sale 6021, (2006)

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-1695 is a Calcutta pre stamp cover of 8 January 1840 bearing the Calcutta SD16 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 74, Sale 6021 (2006).

2 images of COV-1695 are recorded (front, back); the Calcutta SD16 mark itself is recorded in use 1838–1846.

Questions about COV-1695

What is COV-1695?: COV-1695 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Calcutta, Bengal Presidency of 8 January 1840, bearing the Calcutta SD16 handstamp in red. Spink description: 1840 (8 Jan.) entire letter from Calcutta to Bordeaux, the address panel with superb strike of the black oval "Care of/Mr. Waghorn/Suez" h.s., framed "india" in red and manuscript "Via Bombay and Suez" adjacent; fine, rare and extremely attractive. Additional information: Framed "INDIA" h/s (HG SD16) and Calcutta Ship Letter Despatch h/s (HG SD13).
How scarce is the Calcutta SD16 mark on this cover?: The census grades Calcutta SD16 as very common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1838–1846.
What is the provenance of COV-1695?: Its recorded auction history runs through Spink lot 74, Sale 6021 (2006).
When was COV-1695 posted?: COV-1695 is dated 8 January 1840, within the recorded period of use of Calcutta SD16 (1838–1846).

About this record

This 8 January 1840 pre stamp cover of British India bears the Calcutta SD16 handstamp of the Bengal Presidency, a mark graded “Very common” in this census — one of 16 surviving covers with this mark recorded. It has appeared at auction with Spink, lot 74, Sale 6021, (2006).