COV-5232 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Calcutta, Bengal Presidency of 1846, bearing the Calcutta SD16a handstamp in red. 1846, "INDI " (without A), boxed handstamp in red on entire letter from Calcutta in May 1846 per overland mail via Marseille, to Bordeaux

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-5232 posted?

COV-5232 is dated 1846, within the recorded period of use of Calcutta SD16a (1846–1851).

COV-5232

1846 Calcutta Cover

Back to census|Calcutta SD16a · 19 covers recorded

← COV-4944 COV-5273 →

Pre-stamp cover of India — 1846, Calcutta SD16a handstruck folded letter (COV-5232) — front

Scan or Photo Courtesy of Heinrich Köhler

Date

1846

Description

1846, "INDI " (without A), boxed handstamp in red on entire letter from Calcutta in May 1846 per overland mail via Marseille, to Bordeaux

Auction

Heinrich Köhler

Heinrich Koehler Auctions GmbH & Co. KG Sale - 385, Lot 1703, (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-5232 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?

1846, "INDI " (without A), boxed handstamp in red on entire letter from Calcutta in May 1846 per overland mail via Marseille, to Bordeaux

Its recorded auction history runs through Heinrich Köhler Heinrich Koehler Auctions GmbH & Co. KG Sale - 385 lot 1703 (2025).

1 image of COV-5232 is recorded (front); the Calcutta SD16a mark itself is recorded in use 1846–1851.

Questions about COV-5232

What is COV-5232?: COV-5232 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Calcutta, Bengal Presidency of 1846, bearing the Calcutta SD16a handstamp in red. 1846, "INDI " (without A), boxed handstamp in red on entire letter from Calcutta in May 1846 per overland mail via Marseille, to Bordeaux
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-5232?: Its recorded auction history runs through Heinrich Köhler Heinrich Koehler Auctions GmbH & Co. KG Sale - 385 lot 1703 (2025).
When was COV-5232 posted?: COV-5232 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 19 surviving covers with this mark recorded. It has appeared at auction with Heinrich Köhler, Heinrich Koehler Auctions GmbH & Co. KG Sale - 385, lot 1703, (2025).