How scarce is the Calcutta SD6 mark on this cover?

The census grades Calcutta SD6 as common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1816–1819.

When was COV-2237 posted?

COV-2237 is dated 17 March 1818, within the recorded period of use of Calcutta SD6 (1816–1819).

COV-2237

17 March 1818 Calcutta Cover

Back to census|Calcutta SD6 · 21 covers recorded

← COV-1422 COV-2591 →

Pre-stamp cover of India — 17 March 1818, Calcutta SD6 handstruck folded letter (COV-2237) — front

Scan or Photo Courtesy of Argyll Etkin Auctions

Date

17 March 1818

Description

1818-32 Entire letters to G.B sent by private ship, comprising 1818 letter with circular "CALCUTTA / POST NOT PAID" (Giles SD6) and "SHIP LETTER / DARTMOUTH" (Rob. S4, earliest recorded date), 1820 letter with red boxed "INDIA LETTER / FALMOUTH" (In 1, earliest recorded Falmouth India Letter), and 1832 letter with red boxed "INDIA LETTER / DEVONPORT" (In 2), all fine. (3).

Auction

Argyll Etkin

Auction Number 57 of G.B & Worldwide Stamps and Postal History, Lot 1135, (6th Nov 2025)

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-2237 is a Calcutta pre stamp cover of 17 March 1818 bearing the Calcutta SD6 handstamp, struck in black, 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 Argyll Etkin Auction Number 57 of G.B & Worldwide Stamps and Postal History lot 1135 (6th Nov 2025).

1 image of COV-2237 is recorded (front); the Calcutta SD6 mark itself is recorded in use 1816–1819.

Questions about COV-2237

What is COV-2237?: COV-2237 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Calcutta, Bengal Presidency of 17 March 1818, bearing the Calcutta SD6 handstamp in black. 1818-32 Entire letters to G.B sent by private ship, comprising 1818 letter with circular "CALCUTTA / POST NOT PAID" (Giles SD6) and "SHIP LETTER / DARTMOUTH" (Rob. S4, earliest recorded date), 1820 letter with red boxed "INDIA LETTER / FALMOUTH" (In 1, earliest recorded Falmouth India Letter), and 1832 letter with red boxed "INDIA LETTER / DEVONPORT" (In 2), all fine. (3).
How scarce is the Calcutta SD6 mark on this cover?: The census grades Calcutta SD6 as common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1816–1819.
What is the provenance of COV-2237?: Its recorded auction history runs through Argyll Etkin Auction Number 57 of G.B & Worldwide Stamps and Postal History lot 1135 (6th Nov 2025).
When was COV-2237 posted?: COV-2237 is dated 17 March 1818, within the recorded period of use of Calcutta SD6 (1816–1819).

About this record

This 17 March 1818 pre stamp cover of British India bears the Calcutta SD6 handstamp of the Bengal Presidency, a mark graded “Common” in this census — one of 21 surviving covers with this mark recorded. It has appeared at auction with Argyll Etkin, Auction Number 57 of G.B & Worldwide Stamps and Postal History, lot 1135, (6th Nov 2025).