COV-3921 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Calcutta, Bengal Presidency of 1843, bearing the Calcutta SD16 handstamp in red. India 1843 prestamp cover w/ "Per Overland via Falmouth" in manuscript & octagonal "Calcutta/ Steamletter" h/s via Bombay to Scotland

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-3921 posted?

COV-3921 is dated 1843, within the recorded period of use of Calcutta SD16 (1838–1846).

COV-3921

1843 Calcutta Cover

Back to census|Calcutta SD16 · 16 covers recorded

← COV-3892 COV-4872 →

Pre-stamp cover of India — 1843, Calcutta SD16 handstruck folded letter (COV-3921)

Pre-stamp cover of India — Calcutta SD16, scan 2 (COV-3921)

Pre-stamp cover of India — Calcutta SD16, scan 3 (COV-3921)

Pre-stamp cover of India — Calcutta SD16, scan 4 (COV-3921)

Scan or Photo Courtesy of Sephils

Date

1843

Description

India 1843 prestamp cover w/ "Per Overland via Falmouth" in manuscript & octagonal "Calcutta/ Steamletter" h/s via Bombay to Scotland

Auction

Sephils

115, Lot 0086, (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-3921 is a Calcutta pre stamp cover of 1843 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 1843 prestamp cover w/ "Per Overland via Falmouth" in manuscript & octagonal "Calcutta/ Steamletter" h/s via Bombay to Scotland

Its recorded auction history runs through Sephils 115 lot 0086 (2025).

4 images of COV-3921 are recorded; the Calcutta SD16 mark itself is recorded in use 1838–1846.

Questions about COV-3921

What is COV-3921?: COV-3921 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Calcutta, Bengal Presidency of 1843, bearing the Calcutta SD16 handstamp in red. India 1843 prestamp cover w/ "Per Overland via Falmouth" in manuscript & octagonal "Calcutta/ Steamletter" h/s via Bombay to Scotland
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-3921?: Its recorded auction history runs through Sephils 115 lot 0086 (2025).
When was COV-3921 posted?: COV-3921 is dated 1843, within the recorded period of use of Calcutta SD16 (1838–1846).

About this record

This 1843 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, 115, lot 0086, (2025).