How scarce is the Calcutta SD25 mark on this cover?

The census grades Calcutta SD25 as common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1848-54.

When was COV-5350 posted?

COV-5350 is dated 2 June 1851, within the recorded period of use of Calcutta SD25 (1848-54).

COV-5350

2 June 1851 Calcutta Cover

Back to census|Calcutta SD25 · 4 covers recorded

Pre-stamp cover of India — 2 June 1851, Calcutta SD25 handstruck folded letter (COV-5350)

Pre-stamp cover of India — Calcutta SD25, scan 2 (COV-5350)

Scan or Photo Courtesy of Siegel Auction Galleries

Date

2 June 1851

Description

India, Calcutta, 1851, "BEARING" Framed Handstamp (Giles SD25). Bold and mostly clear strike with faint red Calcutta Jun. 2, 1851 despatch datestamp on back of folded letter to Madras, sender's directive "per Oriental Steamer" , Madras B.P.P. (Jun. 9, Giles SR7) arrival backstamp, manuscript rate marking, Very Fine and scarce "Bearing" marking

Auction

Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries

The Magnolia Collection: India Postal History, Part 8 (Sale 9061, 21 October 2026), Lot 10061, (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-5350 is a Calcutta pre stamp cover of 2 June 1851 bearing the Calcutta SD25 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?

Its recorded auction history runs through Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries The Magnolia Collection: India Postal History, Part 8 (Sale 9061, 21 October 2026) lot 10061 (2026).

2 images of COV-5350 are recorded; the Calcutta SD25 mark itself is recorded in use 1848-54.

Questions about COV-5350

What is COV-5350?: COV-5350 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Calcutta, Bengal Presidency of 2 June 1851, bearing the Calcutta SD25 handstamp in black. India, Calcutta, 1851, "BEARING" Framed Handstamp (Giles SD25). Bold and mostly clear strike with faint red Calcutta Jun. 2, 1851 despatch datestamp on back of folded letter to Madras, sender's directive "per Oriental Steamer" , Madras B.P.P. (Jun. 9, Giles SR7) arrival backstamp, manuscript rate marking, Very Fine and scarce "Bearing" marking
How scarce is the Calcutta SD25 mark on this cover?: The census grades Calcutta SD25 as common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1848-54.
What is the provenance of COV-5350?: Its recorded auction history runs through Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries The Magnolia Collection: India Postal History, Part 8 (Sale 9061, 21 October 2026) lot 10061 (2026).
When was COV-5350 posted?: COV-5350 is dated 2 June 1851, within the recorded period of use of Calcutta SD25 (1848-54).

About this record

This 2 June 1851 pre stamp cover of British India bears the Calcutta SD25 handstamp of the Bengal Presidency, a mark graded “Common” in this census — one of 4 surviving covers with this mark recorded. It has appeared at auction with Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries, The Magnolia Collection: India Postal History, Part 8 (Sale 9061, 21 October 2026), lot 10061, (2026).