COV-3733 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Calcutta, Bengal Presidency of 2 March 1825, bearing the Calcutta SD8a handstamp in black. India 1825 Calcutta to Cape of Good Hope cover with manuscript '2' indicating ship letter rate. Features a seal 'F & Co', no receipt mark, reflecting early maritime postal history.

How scarce is the Calcutta SD8a mark on this cover?

The census grades Calcutta SD8a as common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1824-25.

When was COV-3733 posted?

COV-3733 is dated 2 March 1825, within the recorded period of use of Calcutta SD8a (1824-25).

COV-3733

2 March 1825 Calcutta Cover

Back to census|Calcutta SD8a · 4 covers recorded

COV-3943 →

Pre-stamp cover of India — 2 March 1825, Calcutta SD8a handstruck folded letter (COV-3733)

Pre-stamp cover of India — Calcutta SD8a, scan 2 (COV-3733)

Pre-stamp cover of India — Calcutta SD8a, scan 3 (COV-3733)

Scan or Photo Courtesy of Sephils

Date

2 March 1825

Description

India 1825 Calcutta to Cape of Good Hope cover with manuscript '2' indicating ship letter rate. Features a seal 'F & Co', no receipt mark, reflecting early maritime postal history.

Auction

Sephils

485, Lot 0102, (2026)

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-3733 is a Calcutta pre stamp cover of 2 March 1825 bearing the Calcutta SD8a 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?

India 1825 Calcutta to Cape of Good Hope cover with manuscript '2' indicating ship letter rate. Features a seal 'F & Co', no receipt mark, reflecting early maritime postal history.

Its recorded auction history runs through Sephils 485 lot 0102 (2026).

3 images of COV-3733 are recorded; the Calcutta SD8a mark itself is recorded in use 1824-25.

Questions about COV-3733

What is COV-3733?: COV-3733 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Calcutta, Bengal Presidency of 2 March 1825, bearing the Calcutta SD8a handstamp in black. India 1825 Calcutta to Cape of Good Hope cover with manuscript '2' indicating ship letter rate. Features a seal 'F & Co', no receipt mark, reflecting early maritime postal history.
How scarce is the Calcutta SD8a mark on this cover?: The census grades Calcutta SD8a as common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1824-25.
What is the provenance of COV-3733?: Its recorded auction history runs through Sephils 485 lot 0102 (2026).
When was COV-3733 posted?: COV-3733 is dated 2 March 1825, within the recorded period of use of Calcutta SD8a (1824-25).

About this record

This 2 March 1825 pre stamp cover of British India bears the Calcutta SD8a handstamp of the Bengal Presidency, a mark graded “Common” in this census — one of 4 surviving covers with this mark recorded. It has appeared at auction with Sephils, 485, lot 0102, (2026).