COV-1538 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Calcutta, Bengal Presidency of 1851, bearing the Calcutta SD22 handstamp in red. 1851 CALCUTTA STEAMLETTER PAID Giles SD22 (only 7 recorded by Giles) on folded letter to UK via Bombay with boxed INDIA, London arrival and Liverpool delivery

How scarce is the Calcutta SD22 mark on this cover?

The census grades Calcutta SD22 as rare, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1851–1852.

When was COV-1538 posted?

COV-1538 is dated 1851, within the recorded period of use of Calcutta SD22 (1851–1852).

COV-1538

1851 Calcutta Cover

Back to census|Calcutta SD22

Pre-stamp cover of India — 1851, Calcutta SD22 handstruck folded letter (COV-1538)

Pre-stamp cover of India — Calcutta SD22, scan 2 (COV-1538)

Pre-stamp cover of India — Calcutta SD22, scan 3 (COV-1538)

Scan or Photo Courtesy of StampBay Auctions

Date

1851

Description

1851 CALCUTTA STEAMLETTER PAID Giles SD22 (only 7 recorded by Giles) on folded letter to UK via Bombay with boxed INDIA, London arrival and Liverpool delivery

Auction

StampBay

15, Lot 17

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-1538 is a Calcutta pre stamp cover of 1851 bearing the Calcutta SD22 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?

1851 CALCUTTA STEAMLETTER PAID Giles SD22 (only 7 recorded by Giles) on folded letter to UK via Bombay with boxed INDIA, London arrival and Liverpool delivery

Its recorded auction history runs through StampBay 15 lot 17.

3 images of COV-1538 are recorded; the Calcutta SD22 mark itself is recorded in use 1851–1852.

Questions about COV-1538

What is COV-1538?: COV-1538 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Calcutta, Bengal Presidency of 1851, bearing the Calcutta SD22 handstamp in red. 1851 CALCUTTA STEAMLETTER PAID Giles SD22 (only 7 recorded by Giles) on folded letter to UK via Bombay with boxed INDIA, London arrival and Liverpool delivery
How scarce is the Calcutta SD22 mark on this cover?: The census grades Calcutta SD22 as rare, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1851–1852.
What is the provenance of COV-1538?: Its recorded auction history runs through StampBay 15 lot 17.
When was COV-1538 posted?: COV-1538 is dated 1851, within the recorded period of use of Calcutta SD22 (1851–1852).

About this record

This 1851 pre stamp cover of British India bears the Calcutta SD22 handstamp of the Bengal Presidency, a mark graded “Rare” in this census — the only surviving cover with this mark recorded so far. It has appeared at auction with StampBay, 15, lot 17.