COV-4700 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Calcutta, Bengal Presidency of 1854, bearing the Calcutta SD21 handstamp in red. India 1834 prestamp commercial cover per "Bentinck" Steamer w/ red boxed "INDIA" & "CALCUTTA/ G.P.O./ SHIP LETTER" markings via Southampton to London UK

How scarce is the Calcutta SD21 mark on this cover?

The census grades Calcutta SD21 as very common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1847–1854.

When was COV-4700 posted?

COV-4700 is dated 1854, within the recorded period of use of Calcutta SD21 (1847–1854).

COV-4700

1854 Calcutta Cover

Back to census|Calcutta SD21 · 13 covers recorded

← COV-4640

Pre-stamp cover of India — 1854, Calcutta SD21 handstruck folded letter (COV-4700)

Pre-stamp cover of India — Calcutta SD21, scan 2 (COV-4700)

Pre-stamp cover of India — Calcutta SD21, scan 3 (COV-4700)

Pre-stamp cover of India — Calcutta SD21, scan 4 (COV-4700)

Scan or Photo Courtesy of Sephils

Date

1854

Description

India 1834 prestamp commercial cover per "Bentinck" Steamer w/ red boxed "INDIA" & "CALCUTTA/ G.P.O./ SHIP LETTER" markings via Southampton to London UK

Auction

Sephils

717, Lot 0099, (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-4700 is a Calcutta pre stamp cover of 1854 bearing the Calcutta SD21 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 1834 prestamp commercial cover per "Bentinck" Steamer w/ red boxed "INDIA" & "CALCUTTA/ G.P.O./ SHIP LETTER" markings via Southampton to London UK

Its recorded auction history runs through Sephils 717 lot 0099 (2026).

4 images of COV-4700 are recorded; the Calcutta SD21 mark itself is recorded in use 1847–1854.

Questions about COV-4700

What is COV-4700?: COV-4700 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Calcutta, Bengal Presidency of 1854, bearing the Calcutta SD21 handstamp in red. India 1834 prestamp commercial cover per "Bentinck" Steamer w/ red boxed "INDIA" & "CALCUTTA/ G.P.O./ SHIP LETTER" markings via Southampton to London UK
How scarce is the Calcutta SD21 mark on this cover?: The census grades Calcutta SD21 as very common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1847–1854.
What is the provenance of COV-4700?: Its recorded auction history runs through Sephils 717 lot 0099 (2026).
When was COV-4700 posted?: COV-4700 is dated 1854, within the recorded period of use of Calcutta SD21 (1847–1854).

About this record

This 1854 pre stamp cover of British India bears the Calcutta SD21 handstamp of the Bengal Presidency, a mark graded “Very common” in this census — one of 13 surviving covers with this mark recorded. It has appeared at auction with Sephils, 717, lot 0099, (2026).