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-3761 posted?

COV-3761 is dated 1847, within the recorded period of use of Calcutta SD17 (1846–1856).

COV-3761

1847 Calcutta Cover

Back to census|Calcutta SD17 · 17 covers recorded

← COV-3697 COV-3762 →

Pre-stamp cover of India — 1847, Calcutta SD17 handstruck folded letter (COV-3761)

Pre-stamp cover of India — Calcutta SD17, scan 2 (COV-3761)

Scan or Photo Courtesy of Sephils

Date

1847

Description

India 1847 Maritime Cover from Calcutta to Edinburgh via Marseilles, featuring red 'INDIA' mark and Calcutta despatch, carried by Steamer 'Bentinck', unpaid postage marked.

Auction

Sephils

471, Lot 0104, (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-3761 is a Calcutta pre stamp cover of 1847 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 1847 Maritime Cover from Calcutta to Edinburgh via Marseilles, featuring red 'INDIA' mark and Calcutta despatch, carried by Steamer 'Bentinck', unpaid postage marked.

Its recorded auction history runs through Sephils 471 lot 0104 (2025).

2 images of COV-3761 are recorded; the Calcutta SD17 mark itself is recorded in use 1846–1856.

Questions about COV-3761

What is COV-3761?: COV-3761 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Calcutta, Bengal Presidency of 1847, bearing the Calcutta SD17 handstamp in red. India 1847 Maritime Cover from Calcutta to Edinburgh via Marseilles, featuring red 'INDIA' mark and Calcutta despatch, carried by Steamer 'Bentinck', unpaid postage marked.
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-3761?: Its recorded auction history runs through Sephils 471 lot 0104 (2025).
When was COV-3761 posted?: COV-3761 is dated 1847, within the recorded period of use of Calcutta SD17 (1846–1856).

About this record

This 1847 pre stamp cover of British India bears the Calcutta SD17 handstamp of the Bengal Presidency, a mark graded “Common” in this census — one of 17 surviving covers with this mark recorded. It has appeared at auction with Sephils, 471, lot 0104, (2025).