COV-5735 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Calcutta, Bengal Presidency of 1851, bearing the Calcutta SD31 handstamp in red. India 1851 Calcutta to Madras postal cover, postage paid with 2 rupees 4 annas for a weight of 3 tolas, featuring clear postal markings and historical context.

How scarce is the Calcutta SD31 mark on this cover?

The census grades Calcutta SD31 as common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1858–1867.

When was COV-5735 posted?

COV-5735 is dated 1851, within the recorded period of use of Calcutta SD31 (1858–1867).

COV-5735

1851 Calcutta Cover

Back to census|Calcutta SD31 · 11 covers recorded

← COV-5555

Pre-stamp cover of India — 1851, Calcutta SD31 handstruck folded letter (COV-5735)

Pre-stamp cover of India — Calcutta SD31, scan 2 (COV-5735)

Scan or Photo Courtesy of Sephils

Date

1851

Description

India 1851 Calcutta to Madras postal cover, postage paid with 2 rupees 4 annas for a weight of 3 tolas, featuring clear postal markings and historical context.

Auction

Sephils

780, Lot 0108, (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-5735 is a Calcutta pre stamp cover of 1851 bearing the Calcutta SD31 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 1851 Calcutta to Madras postal cover, postage paid with 2 rupees 4 annas for a weight of 3 tolas, featuring clear postal markings and historical context.

Its recorded auction history runs through Sephils 780 lot 0108 (2026).

2 images of COV-5735 are recorded; the Calcutta SD31 mark itself is recorded in use 1858–1867.

Questions about COV-5735

What is COV-5735?: COV-5735 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Calcutta, Bengal Presidency of 1851, bearing the Calcutta SD31 handstamp in red. India 1851 Calcutta to Madras postal cover, postage paid with 2 rupees 4 annas for a weight of 3 tolas, featuring clear postal markings and historical context.
How scarce is the Calcutta SD31 mark on this cover?: The census grades Calcutta SD31 as common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1858–1867.
What is the provenance of COV-5735?: Its recorded auction history runs through Sephils 780 lot 0108 (2026).
When was COV-5735 posted?: COV-5735 is dated 1851, within the recorded period of use of Calcutta SD31 (1858–1867).

About this record

This 1851 pre stamp cover of British India bears the Calcutta SD31 handstamp of the Bengal Presidency, a mark graded “Common” in this census — one of 11 surviving covers with this mark recorded. It has appeared at auction with Sephils, 780, lot 0108, (2026).