COV-632 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Calcutta, Bengal Presidency of 1817, bearing the Calcutta SD5 handstamp in red. "KING'S SEA/POSTE. PAID/CALCUTTA" Handstamp in Red (Giles SD5). Clear 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-632 posted?

COV-632 is dated 1817, within the recorded period of use of Calcutta SD5 (1816–1818).

COV-632

1817 Calcutta Cover

Back to census|Calcutta SD5 · 27 covers recorded

← COV-631 COV-739 →

Pre-stamp cover of India — 1817, Calcutta SD5 handstruck folded letter (COV-632) — front

Pre-stamp cover of India — Calcutta SD5, back (COV-632) — back

Scan or Photo Courtesy of Siegel Auction Galleries

Date

1817

Description

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

Auction

Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries

Sale No. 1325, Lot 3008, (2025)

Provenance

•2025, Robert A. Siegel Sale No. 1325, Lot 3008

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-632 is a Calcutta pre stamp cover of 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). Clear strike.

Its recorded auction history runs through Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries Sale No. 1325 lot 3008 (2025).

2 images of COV-632 are recorded (front, back); the Calcutta SD5 mark itself is recorded in use 1816–1818.

Questions about COV-632

What is COV-632?: COV-632 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Calcutta, Bengal Presidency of 1817, bearing the Calcutta SD5 handstamp in red. "KING'S SEA/POSTE. PAID/CALCUTTA" Handstamp in Red (Giles SD5). Clear 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-632?: Its recorded auction history runs through Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries Sale No. 1325 lot 3008 (2025).
When was COV-632 posted?: COV-632 is dated 1817, within the recorded period of use of Calcutta SD5 (1816–1818).

About this record

This 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 3008, (2025).