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Hand Struck Stamps

COV-2105

24 June 1816 Calcutta Cover

Back to census|Calcutta SD5 · 27 covers recorded
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Pre-stamp cover of India — 24 June 1816, Calcutta SD5 handstruck folded letter (COV-2105)

Scan or Photo Courtesy of Cavendish Philatelic Auctions Ltd

Date

24 June 1816

Description

CALCUTTA - “KING’S SEA/POST PAID./CALCUTTA” IN RARE BLACK INK ON COVER TO LONDON; 24 June 1816 EL from “Calcutta” to London “P. [ship] Babnier(?)” with a very fine octagon-boxed “KING’S SEA/POSTAGE PAID./CALCUTTA” (HG SD5 - “Rare” - only known in black Mar. to July 1816) on the front beside a fair red “PAID SHIP LETTER/[Crown]/LONDON” c.d.s. (14 Dec.); redirected locally on arrival in london and so with a mainly fine h.s. “2” charge-mark (slightly overlapping the “SEA POST” mark). The King’s Post prepayment covered all postage to the port of arrival but not inland rates. PHOTO - see page 21.

Auction

Cavendish Philatelic Auctions LtdCavendish Philatelic Auctions Ltd

Lot 54, (Sept. 2015)

Provenance

Michael Manning

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-2105 is a Calcutta pre stamp cover of 24 June 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?

CALCUTTA - “KING’S SEA/POST PAID./CALCUTTA” IN RARE BLACK INK ON COVER TO LONDON; 24 June 1816 EL from “Calcutta” to London “P. [ship] Babnier(?)” with a very fine octagon-boxed “KING’S SEA/POSTAGE PAID./CALCUTTA” (HG SD5 - “Rare” - only known in black Mar. to July 1816) on the front beside a fair red “PAID SHIP LETTER/[Crown]/LONDON” c.d.s. (14 Dec.); redirected locally on arrival in london and so with a mainly fine h.s. “2” charge-mark (slightly overlapping the “SEA POST” mark). The King’s Post prepayment covered all postage to the port of arrival but not inland rates. PHOTO - see page 21.

Its recorded auction history runs through Cavendish Philatelic Auctions Ltd lot 54 (Sept. 2015).

1 image of COV-2105 is recorded; the Calcutta SD5 mark itself is recorded in use 1816–1818.

Questions about COV-2105

What is COV-2105?
COV-2105 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Calcutta, Bengal Presidency of 24 June 1816, bearing the Calcutta SD5 handstamp in red. CALCUTTA - “KING’S SEA/POST PAID./CALCUTTA” IN RARE BLACK INK ON COVER TO LONDON; 24 June 1816 EL from “Calcutta” to London “P. [ship] Babnier(?)” with a very fine octagon-boxed “KING’S SEA/POSTAGE PAID./CALCUTTA” (HG SD5 - “Rare” - only known in black Mar. to July 1816) on the front beside a fair red “PAID SHIP LETTER/[Crown]/LONDON” c.d.s. (14 Dec.); redirected locally on arrival in london and so with a mainly fine h.s. “2” charge-mark (slightly overlapping the “SEA POST” mark). The King’s Post prepayment covered all postage to the port of arrival but not inland rates. PHOTO - see page 21.
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-2105?
Its recorded auction history runs through Cavendish Philatelic Auctions Ltd lot 54 (Sept. 2015).
When was COV-2105 posted?
COV-2105 is dated 24 June 1816, within the recorded period of use of Calcutta SD5 (1816–1818).

About this record

This 24 June 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 Cavendish Philatelic Auctions Ltd, lot 54, (Sept. 2015).