COV-631 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Calcutta, Bengal Presidency of 30 January 1817, bearing the Calcutta SD5 handstamp in red. "KING'S SEA/POSTE. PAID/CALCUTTA" Handstamp in Red (Giles SD5). Impressive strike.

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-631 posted?

COV-631 is dated 30 January 1817, within the recorded period of use of Calcutta SD5 (1816–1818).

COV-631

30 January 1817 Calcutta Cover

Back to census|Calcutta SD5 · 27 covers recorded

← COV-218 COV-632 →

Pre-stamp cover of India — 30 January 1817, Calcutta SD5 handstruck folded letter (COV-631) — front

Pre-stamp cover of India — Calcutta SD5, back (COV-631) — back

Scan or Photo Courtesy of Siegel Auction Galleries

Date

30 January 1817

Description

"KING'S SEA/POSTE. PAID/CALCUTTA" Handstamp in Red (Giles SD5). Impressive strike.

Auction

Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries

Sale No. 1325, Lot 3007, Spink, Dec. 1999, Lot 54

Provenance

"Magnolia" Dr. Soli Contractor

•2025, Robert A. Siegel Sale No. 1325, Lot 3007

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-631 is a Calcutta pre stamp cover of 30 January 1817 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?

"KING'S SEA/POSTE. PAID/CALCUTTA" Handstamp in Red (Giles SD5). Impressive strike.

Its recorded auction history runs through Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries Sale No. 1325, Lot 3007, Spink, Dec. 1999, Lot 54.

2 images of COV-631 are recorded (front, back); the Calcutta SD5 mark itself is recorded in use 1816–1818.

Questions about COV-631

What is COV-631?: COV-631 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Calcutta, Bengal Presidency of 30 January 1817, bearing the Calcutta SD5 handstamp in red. "KING'S SEA/POSTE. PAID/CALCUTTA" Handstamp in Red (Giles SD5). Impressive strike.
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-631?: Its recorded auction history runs through Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries Sale No. 1325, Lot 3007, Spink, Dec. 1999, Lot 54.
When was COV-631 posted?: COV-631 is dated 30 January 1817, within the recorded period of use of Calcutta SD5 (1816–1818).

About this record

This 30 January 1817 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 Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries, Sale No. 1325, Lot 3007, Spink, Dec. 1999, Lot 54.