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-4906 posted?

COV-4906 is dated 1847, within the recorded period of use of Calcutta SD17 (1846–1856).

COV-4906

1847 Calcutta SD17 Cover

Back to census|Calcutta SD17 · 14 covers recorded

← COV-4895

Pre-stamp cover of India — 1847, Calcutta SD17 handstruck folded letter (COV-4906)

Pre-stamp cover of India — Calcutta SD17, scan 2 (COV-4906)

Scan or Photo Courtesy of Argyll Etkin Auctions

Date

1847

Description

1824-47 Entire letters (4), part entire and a front from India to G.B, one with double ring Benares Post Paid datestamp, and an 1831 entire letter from Dublin to Nagpoor redirected to Pondicherry with oval "BOMBAY / G.P.O / POSTAGE NOT PAID". (7).

Auction

Argyll Etkin

G.B & Worldwide Stamps and Postal History, Lot 986, (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-4906 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?

Its recorded auction history runs through Argyll Etkin Limited G.B & Worldwide Stamps and Postal History lot 986 (2025).

2 images of COV-4906 are recorded; the Calcutta SD17 mark itself is recorded in use 1846–1856.

Questions about COV-4906

What is COV-4906?: COV-4906 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Calcutta, Bengal Presidency of 1847, bearing the Calcutta SD17 handstamp in red. 1824-47 Entire letters (4), part entire and a front from India to G.B, one with double ring Benares Post Paid datestamp, and an 1831 entire letter from Dublin to Nagpoor redirected to Pondicherry with oval "BOMBAY / G.P.O / POSTAGE NOT PAID". (7).
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-4906?: Its recorded auction history runs through Argyll Etkin Limited G.B & Worldwide Stamps and Postal History lot 986 (2025).
When was COV-4906 posted?: COV-4906 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 14 surviving covers with this mark recorded. It has appeared at auction with Argyll Etkin, G.B & Worldwide Stamps and Postal History, lot 986, (2025).