COV-3880 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Calcutta, Bengal Presidency of 1841, bearing the Calcutta SD16 handstamp in red. India Calcutta 1841 prestamp cover via overland mail bearing boxed "PAQUEBOT DE LA MEDITTERRANEAN" & "INDIA" in red to Bordeaux France b/s w/ boxed "STEAM POSTAGE..."

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-3880 posted?

COV-3880 is dated 1841, within the recorded period of use of Calcutta SD16 (1838–1846).

COV-3880

1841 Calcutta Cover

Back to census|Calcutta SD16 · 16 covers recorded

← COV-3868 COV-3892 →

Pre-stamp cover of India — 1841, Calcutta SD16 handstruck folded letter (COV-3880)

Pre-stamp cover of India — Calcutta SD16, scan 2 (COV-3880)

Scan or Photo Courtesy of Sephils

Date

1841

Description

India Calcutta 1841 prestamp cover via overland mail bearing boxed "PAQUEBOT DE LA MEDITTERRANEAN" & "INDIA" in red to Bordeaux France b/s w/ boxed "STEAM POSTAGE..."

Auction

Sephils

247, Lot 0090, (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-3880 is a Calcutta pre stamp cover of 1841 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?

India Calcutta 1841 prestamp cover via overland mail bearing boxed "PAQUEBOT DE LA MEDITTERRANEAN" & "INDIA" in red to Bordeaux France b/s w/ boxed "STEAM POSTAGE..."

Its recorded auction history runs through Sephils 247 lot 0090 (2025).

2 images of COV-3880 are recorded; the Calcutta SD16 mark itself is recorded in use 1838–1846.

Questions about COV-3880

What is COV-3880?: COV-3880 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Calcutta, Bengal Presidency of 1841, bearing the Calcutta SD16 handstamp in red. India Calcutta 1841 prestamp cover via overland mail bearing boxed "PAQUEBOT DE LA MEDITTERRANEAN" & "INDIA" in red to Bordeaux France b/s w/ boxed "STEAM POSTAGE..."
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-3880?: Its recorded auction history runs through Sephils 247 lot 0090 (2025).
When was COV-3880 posted?: COV-3880 is dated 1841, within the recorded period of use of Calcutta SD16 (1838–1846).

About this record

This 1841 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 Sephils, 247, lot 0090, (2025).