COV-3661 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Calcutta, Bengal Presidency of 1856, bearing the Calcutta SD17 handstamp in red. India 1856 Entire Letter from Calcutta to Glasgow, endorsed per Steamer Hindostan, featuring India despatch mark and notable postal history context.

How scarce is the Calcutta SD17 mark on this cover?

The census grades Calcutta SD17 as common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1846–1856.

When was COV-3661 posted?

COV-3661 is dated 1856, within the recorded period of use of Calcutta SD17 (1846–1856).

COV-3661

1856 Calcutta Cover

Back to census|Calcutta SD17 · 15 covers recorded

← COV-3644 COV-3697 →

Pre-stamp cover of India — 1856, Calcutta SD17 handstruck folded letter (COV-3661)

Pre-stamp cover of India — Calcutta SD17, scan 2 (COV-3661)

Scan or Photo Courtesy of Sephils

Date

1856

Description

India 1856 Entire Letter from Calcutta to Glasgow, endorsed per Steamer Hindostan, featuring India despatch mark and notable postal history context.

Auction

Sephils

542, Lot 0079, (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-3661 is a Calcutta pre stamp cover of 1856 bearing the Calcutta SD17 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 1856 Entire Letter from Calcutta to Glasgow, endorsed per Steamer Hindostan, featuring India despatch mark and notable postal history context.

Its recorded auction history runs through Sephils 542 lot 0079 (2026).

2 images of COV-3661 are recorded; the Calcutta SD17 mark itself is recorded in use 1846–1856.

Questions about COV-3661

What is COV-3661?: COV-3661 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Calcutta, Bengal Presidency of 1856, bearing the Calcutta SD17 handstamp in red. India 1856 Entire Letter from Calcutta to Glasgow, endorsed per Steamer Hindostan, featuring India despatch mark and notable postal history context.
How scarce is the Calcutta SD17 mark on this cover?: The census grades Calcutta SD17 as common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1846–1856.
What is the provenance of COV-3661?: Its recorded auction history runs through Sephils 542 lot 0079 (2026).
When was COV-3661 posted?: COV-3661 is dated 1856, within the recorded period of use of Calcutta SD17 (1846–1856).

About this record

This 1856 pre stamp cover of British India bears the Calcutta SD17 handstamp of the Bengal Presidency, a mark graded “Common” in this census — one of 15 surviving covers with this mark recorded. It has appeared at auction with Sephils, 542, lot 0079, (2026).