How scarce is the Calcutta SD8 mark on this cover?

The census grades Calcutta SD8 as common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1820-24.

When was COV-4952 posted?

COV-4952 is dated 1821, within the recorded period of use of Calcutta SD8 (1820-24).

COV-4952

1821 Calcutta Cover

Back to census|Calcutta SD8 · 14 covers recorded

← COV-3952

Pre-stamp cover of India — 1821, Calcutta SD8 handstruck folded letter (COV-4952)

Pre-stamp cover of India — Calcutta SD8, scan 2 (COV-4952)

Scan or Photo Courtesy of David Feldman Auctions

Date

1821

Description

1821 (Sep 16) entire from Chandenagore (datelined inside) to Scotland, with good strike of the “CALCUTTA / GENERAL POST OFFICE” circular ds from the French India period, with ms date inserted, “INDIA LETTER / DEAL” hs adjacent along with Scottish “1/2” tax and Edinburgh arrival, fine and scarce.

Auction

David Feldman

Spring 2025 Auction Series — India & Indian States, Lot 80466, (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-4952 is a Calcutta pre stamp cover of 1821 bearing the Calcutta SD8 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 David Feldman SA Spring 2025 Auction Series — India & Indian States lot 80466 (2025).

2 images of COV-4952 are recorded; the Calcutta SD8 mark itself is recorded in use 1820-24.

Questions about COV-4952

What is COV-4952?: COV-4952 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Calcutta, Bengal Presidency of 1821, bearing the Calcutta SD8 handstamp in black. 1821 (Sep 16) entire from Chandenagore (datelined inside) to Scotland, with good strike of the “CALCUTTA / GENERAL POST OFFICE” circular ds from the French India period, with ms date inserted, “INDIA LETTER / DEAL” hs adjacent along with Scottish “1/2” tax and Edinburgh arrival, fine and scarce.
How scarce is the Calcutta SD8 mark on this cover?: The census grades Calcutta SD8 as common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1820-24.
What is the provenance of COV-4952?: Its recorded auction history runs through David Feldman SA Spring 2025 Auction Series — India & Indian States lot 80466 (2025).
When was COV-4952 posted?: COV-4952 is dated 1821, within the recorded period of use of Calcutta SD8 (1820-24).

About this record

This 1821 pre stamp cover of British India bears the Calcutta SD8 handstamp of the Bengal Presidency, a mark graded “Common” in this census — one of 14 surviving covers with this mark recorded. It has appeared at auction with David Feldman, Spring 2025 Auction Series — India & Indian States, lot 80466, (2025).