COV-3929 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Calcutta, Bengal Presidency of 1854, bearing the Calcutta SD20 handstamp in red. India 1854 stampless cover with boxed "INDIA PAID" in red from Calcutta to Marseille France

How scarce is the Calcutta SD20 mark on this cover?

The census grades Calcutta SD20 as common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1845-62.

When was COV-3929 posted?

COV-3929 is dated 1854, within the recorded period of use of Calcutta SD20 (1845-62).

COV-3929

1854 Calcutta Cover

Back to census|Calcutta SD20

Pre-stamp cover of India — 1854, Calcutta SD20 handstruck folded letter (COV-3929)

Pre-stamp cover of India — Calcutta SD20, scan 2 (COV-3929)

Pre-stamp cover of India — Calcutta SD20, scan 3 (COV-3929)

Scan or Photo Courtesy of Sephils

Date

1854

Description

India 1854 stampless cover with boxed "INDIA PAID" in red from Calcutta to Marseille France

Auction

Sephils

101, Lot 0083, (2024)

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-3929 is a Calcutta pre stamp cover of 1854 bearing the Calcutta SD20 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 1854 stampless cover with boxed "INDIA PAID" in red from Calcutta to Marseille France

Its recorded auction history runs through Sephils 101 lot 0083 (2024).

3 images of COV-3929 are recorded; the Calcutta SD20 mark itself is recorded in use 1845-62.

Questions about COV-3929

What is COV-3929?: COV-3929 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Calcutta, Bengal Presidency of 1854, bearing the Calcutta SD20 handstamp in red. India 1854 stampless cover with boxed "INDIA PAID" in red from Calcutta to Marseille France
How scarce is the Calcutta SD20 mark on this cover?: The census grades Calcutta SD20 as common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1845-62.
What is the provenance of COV-3929?: Its recorded auction history runs through Sephils 101 lot 0083 (2024).
When was COV-3929 posted?: COV-3929 is dated 1854, within the recorded period of use of Calcutta SD20 (1845-62).

About this record

This 1854 pre stamp cover of British India bears the Calcutta SD20 handstamp of the Bengal Presidency, a mark graded “Common” in this census — the only surviving cover with this mark recorded so far. It has appeared at auction with Sephils, 101, lot 0083, (2024).