How scarce is the Calcutta SD5 mark on this cover?

The census grades Calcutta SD5 as common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1816–1818.

When was COV-1042 posted?

COV-1042 is dated 25 December 1816, within the recorded period of use of Calcutta SD5 (1816–1818).

COV-1042

25 December 1816 Calcutta Cover

Back to census|Calcutta SD5 · 27 covers recorded

← COV-763 COV-1817 →

Pre-stamp cover of India — 25 December 1816, Calcutta SD5 handstruck folded letter (COV-1042) — front

Scan or Photo Courtesy of Spink

Date

25 December 1816

Description

Calcutta: 1816 (25 Dec.) entire letter (horizontal filing crease) "per Warren Hastings" rated "3/6" and showing good to fine strikes of the rare framed "KING'S SEA/POST' PAID/calcurra" in red (HG SD5) and the very scarce oval "CALCUTTA/PACKET LETTER" d.s. (HG SD7) also a faint arrival d.s. One of the rarities of Indian prephilately and a splendid exhibition item

Auction

Spink

Lot 53

Provenance

Dr. Soli Contractor

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-1042 is a Calcutta pre stamp cover of 25 December 1816 bearing the Calcutta SD5 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?

Its recorded auction history runs through Spink lot 53.

1 image of COV-1042 is recorded (front); the Calcutta SD5 mark itself is recorded in use 1816–1818.

Questions about COV-1042

What is COV-1042?: COV-1042 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Calcutta, Bengal Presidency of 25 December 1816, bearing the Calcutta SD5 handstamp in red. Calcutta: 1816 (25 Dec.) entire letter (horizontal filing crease) "per Warren Hastings" rated "3/6" and showing good to fine strikes of the rare framed "KING'S SEA/POST' PAID/calcurra" in red (HG SD5) and the very scarce oval "CALCUTTA/PACKET LETTER" d.s. (HG SD7) also a faint arrival d.s. One of the rarities of Indian prephilately and a splendid exhibition item
How scarce is the Calcutta SD5 mark on this cover?: The census grades Calcutta SD5 as common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1816–1818.
What is the provenance of COV-1042?: Its recorded auction history runs through Spink lot 53.
When was COV-1042 posted?: COV-1042 is dated 25 December 1816, within the recorded period of use of Calcutta SD5 (1816–1818).

About this record

This 25 December 1816 pre stamp cover of British India bears the Calcutta SD5 handstamp of the Bengal Presidency, a mark graded “Common” in this census — one of 27 surviving covers with this mark recorded. It has appeared at auction with Spink, lot 53.