COV-1603 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Calcutta, Bengal Presidency of 1802, bearing the Calcutta SD2 handstamp in black. 1802 Bengal G.P.O. POST PAID oval Giles SD2 bold and complete strike on back of folded letter to London, sender''s directive Pr Comet

How scarce is the Calcutta SD2 mark on this cover?

The census grades Calcutta SD2 as very common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1799–1816.

When was COV-1603 posted?

COV-1603 is dated 1802, within the recorded period of use of Calcutta SD2 (1799–1816).

COV-1603

1802 Calcutta Cover

Back to census|Calcutta SD2 · 27 covers recorded

← COV-1537 COV-1683 →

Pre-stamp cover of India — 1802, Calcutta SD2 handstruck folded letter (COV-1603)

Pre-stamp cover of India — Calcutta SD2, scan 2 (COV-1603)

Pre-stamp cover of India — Calcutta SD2, scan 3 (COV-1603)

Pre-stamp cover of India — Calcutta SD2, scan 4 (COV-1603)

Pre-stamp cover of India — Calcutta SD2, scan 5 (COV-1603)

Pre-stamp cover of India — Calcutta SD2, scan 6 (COV-1603)

Pre-stamp cover of India — Calcutta SD2, scan 7 (COV-1603)

Pre-stamp cover of India — Calcutta SD2, scan 8 (COV-1603)

Scan or Photo Courtesy of StampBay Auctions

Date

1802

Description

1802 Bengal G.P.O. POST PAID oval Giles SD2 bold and complete strike on back of folded letter to London, sender''s directive Pr Comet

Auction

Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries

Lot 10024, Sale 9020, (Mar. 2025)

StampBay

Auction 19, Lot 5

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-1603 is a Calcutta pre stamp cover of 1802 bearing the Calcutta SD2 handstamp, struck in black, recorded in the census of Calcutta postal history — the office known today as Kolkata, Bengal Presidency. What is a pre stamp cover?

1802 Bengal G.P.O. POST PAID oval Giles SD2 bold and complete strike on back of folded letter to London, sender''s directive Pr Comet

Its recorded auction history runs through Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries lot 10024, Sale 9020 (Mar. 2025); and StampBay Auction 19 lot 5.

8 images of COV-1603 are recorded; the Calcutta SD2 mark itself is recorded in use 1799–1816.

Questions about COV-1603

What is COV-1603?: COV-1603 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Calcutta, Bengal Presidency of 1802, bearing the Calcutta SD2 handstamp in black. 1802 Bengal G.P.O. POST PAID oval Giles SD2 bold and complete strike on back of folded letter to London, sender''s directive Pr Comet
How scarce is the Calcutta SD2 mark on this cover?: The census grades Calcutta SD2 as very common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1799–1816.
What is the provenance of COV-1603?: Its recorded auction history runs through Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries lot 10024, Sale 9020 (Mar. 2025); and StampBay Auction 19 lot 5.
When was COV-1603 posted?: COV-1603 is dated 1802, within the recorded period of use of Calcutta SD2 (1799–1816).

About this record

This 1802 pre stamp cover of British India bears the Calcutta SD2 handstamp of the Bengal Presidency, a mark graded “Very common” in this census — one of 27 surviving covers with this mark recorded. It has appeared at auction with Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries, lot 10024, Sale 9020, (Mar. 2025); StampBay, Auction 19, lot 5.