COV-635 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Calcutta, Bengal Presidency of 2 June 1846, bearing the Calcutta SD16a handstamp in red. "INDI_" Framed Handstamp (Giles SD16a). Clear strike in red on blue folded letter.

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-635 posted?

COV-635 is dated 2 June 1846, within the recorded period of use of Calcutta SD16a (1846–1851).

COV-635

2 June 1846 Calcutta Cover

Back to census|Calcutta SD16a · 19 covers recorded

← COV-383 COV-1227 →

Pre-stamp cover of India — 2 June 1846, Calcutta SD16a handstruck folded letter (COV-635) — front

Pre-stamp cover of India — Calcutta SD16a, back (COV-635) — back

Scan or Photo Courtesy of Siegel Auction Galleries

Date

2 June 1846

Description

"INDI_" Framed Handstamp (Giles SD16a). Clear strike in red on blue folded letter.

Auction

Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries

Sale No. 1325, Lot 3011, (2025)

Provenance

"Magnolia"

•2025, Robert A. Siegel Sale No. 1325, Lot 3011

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-635 is a Calcutta pre stamp cover of 2 June 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?

"INDI_" Framed Handstamp (Giles SD16a). Clear strike in red on blue folded letter.

Its recorded auction history runs through Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries Sale No. 1325 lot 3011 (2025).

2 images of COV-635 are recorded (front, back); the Calcutta SD16a mark itself is recorded in use 1846–1851.

Questions about COV-635

What is COV-635?: COV-635 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Calcutta, Bengal Presidency of 2 June 1846, bearing the Calcutta SD16a handstamp in red. "INDI_" Framed Handstamp (Giles SD16a). Clear strike in red on blue folded letter.
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-635?: Its recorded auction history runs through Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries Sale No. 1325 lot 3011 (2025).
When was COV-635 posted?: COV-635 is dated 2 June 1846, within the recorded period of use of Calcutta SD16a (1846–1851).

About this record

This 2 June 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 Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries, Sale No. 1325, lot 3011, (2025).