How scarce is the Calcutta SD16a mark on this cover?

The census grades Calcutta SD16a as common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1846–1851.

When was COV-3623 posted?

COV-3623 is dated 1846, within the recorded period of use of Calcutta SD16a (1846–1851).

COV-3623

1846 Calcutta Cover

Back to census|Calcutta SD16a · 16 covers recorded

← COV-3596 COV-3727 →

Pre-stamp cover of India — 1846, Calcutta SD16a handstruck folded letter (COV-3623)

Pre-stamp cover of India — Calcutta SD16a, scan 2 (COV-3623)

Scan or Photo Courtesy of Sephils

Date

1846

Description

India to UK covers from 1846 and 1852, sent via Marseilles. First cover from Calcutta in 1852 carried by steamer 'Hindostan' with rate of 2/3d. Second cover from Bombay in 1846 with worn 'INDI' mark, rate of 4/1d.

Auction

Sephils

591, Lot 0083, (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-3623 is a Calcutta pre stamp cover of 1846 bearing the Calcutta SD16a 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 Sephils 591 lot 0083 (2026).

2 images of COV-3623 are recorded; the Calcutta SD16a mark itself is recorded in use 1846–1851.

Questions about COV-3623

What is COV-3623?: COV-3623 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Calcutta, Bengal Presidency of 1846, bearing the Calcutta SD16a handstamp in red. India to UK covers from 1846 and 1852, sent via Marseilles. First cover from Calcutta in 1852 carried by steamer 'Hindostan' with rate of 2/3d. Second cover from Bombay in 1846 with worn 'INDI' mark, rate of 4/1d.
How scarce is the Calcutta SD16a mark on this cover?: The census grades Calcutta SD16a as common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1846–1851.
What is the provenance of COV-3623?: Its recorded auction history runs through Sephils 591 lot 0083 (2026).
When was COV-3623 posted?: COV-3623 is dated 1846, within the recorded period of use of Calcutta SD16a (1846–1851).

About this record

This 1846 pre stamp cover of British India bears the Calcutta SD16a handstamp of the Bengal Presidency, a mark graded “Common” in this census — one of 16 surviving covers with this mark recorded. It has appeared at auction with Sephils, 591, lot 0083, (2026).