What is the Calcutta SR46 handstamp?

Calcutta SR46 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Calcutta (modern Kolkata) in the Bengal Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1838 to 1855. The "SR46" designation is its figure number in the Hammond Giles catalogue of the handstruck postage stamps of India. Known strikes are in red.

How rare is Calcutta SR46?

Calcutta SR46 is graded "Common" in this census. Rarity here is evidence-based: it is derived from the number of surviving covers actually recorded, not estimated. 2 surviving covers bearing this mark are recorded in the census, each with images and provenance.

What does a Calcutta pre stamp cover with SR46 look like?

A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Calcutta is a folded letter or envelope carried before India's first adhesive stamp of 1854, with postage shown entirely by hand-struck marks like SR46. 2 surviving covers bearing this mark are recorded in the census, each with images and provenance. Each census record on this page links to full cover images, dates and auction provenance.

How do I identify or submit a Calcutta SR46 cover?

Compare your cover against the reference impression and recorded examples on this page — check the mark's shape, colour and date range (1838–1855). If your cover is not already recorded, you can submit front and back photographs through the census form on this page; every submission is editor-reviewed before publication.

Bengal Presidency · Pre-1854 Handstamp

Calcutta SR46

Handstamp

Colour & date: Red1838–1855
Rarity: Common
Catalogue: 1989 Catalogue · p. 58
Figure: SR46
Submitted by: D. Hammond Giles

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Census

Census records

2 covers recorded

2 pre-1854 covers bearing the Calcutta SR46 handstamp are recorded below — each entry links to images, provenance and auction details.

COV-1048

21 January 1838

Spink - Calcutta: 1838 (21 Jan.) entire letter from Birmingham to Calcutta, rated "1/-" and showing a very good strike of the scarce "CALCUTTA/SHIP LETTER/FREE" c.d.s. (HG SR46), also framed "PAID/AT BIRMINGHAM", London tombstone datestamp and oval "SHIP LETTER" datestamp, all struck in red. Fine and attractive. Cavendish - CALCUTTA - INGOING MAIL WITH BOXED SINGLE/DOUBLE “Tolas” MARKS, “SHIP LETTER/FREE” C.D.S., ETC.; 5 Dec. 1836 EL from “LImerick” with v. fine rare boxed double-rate “Ship Postage ‘3/Inland do. ‘6/An. 9/2 Tolas” (HG SR43; “Scarce” - only recorded 1837-38), Sept. 1837/May 1838 pair of ELs ex London with very fine strikes of the similar “1 Tolas” type (HG 42a; 1837-39 only), fine 21 Jan. 1838 EL prepaid from Birmingham with red oval London SL d.s. but addressed to the “Advocate General” and so with mainly very fine red encircled “CALCUTTA/SHIP LETTER/FREE” d.s. (HG SR46; 14 June 1838 - rare pre-1840) on the flap, and prepaid June 1840 EL from Limerick with red oval London SL d.s. and v. fine black boxed “CALCUTTA/SHIP LETTER/Bearing” d.s. (5 covers) PHOTO page 67

COV-4246

12 February 1842

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About this mark

The Calcutta SR46 handstamp

Kolkata, also known as Calcutta, is the capital and largest city of the Indian state of West Bengal, on the eastern bank of the Hooghly River.

Calcutta SR46 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of the post office at Calcutta — the present-day Kolkata — in the Bengal Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1838 to 1855. Known strikes are in red. It is listed in 1989 Catalogue, where each marking of British India is assigned a figure number — hence "SR46".

2 surviving covers bearing this mark are recorded in the census, each with images and provenance. On the strength of that count the mark is graded "Common" — the grade moves automatically as new covers are recorded. Collectors searching for calcutta pre stamp covers, calcutta postal history or "Calcutta SR46" material can compare SR46 across every office or browse the rest of the Calcutta marks.

Frequently asked

What is the Calcutta SR46 handstamp?: Calcutta SR46 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Calcutta (modern Kolkata) in the Bengal Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1838 to 1855. The "SR46" designation is its figure number in the Hammond Giles catalogue of the handstruck postage stamps of India. Known strikes are in red.
How rare is Calcutta SR46?: Calcutta SR46 is graded "Common" in this census. Rarity here is evidence-based: it is derived from the number of surviving covers actually recorded, not estimated. 2 surviving covers bearing this mark are recorded in the census, each with images and provenance.
What does a Calcutta pre stamp cover with SR46 look like?: A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Calcutta is a folded letter or envelope carried before India's first adhesive stamp of 1854, with postage shown entirely by hand-struck marks like SR46. 2 surviving covers bearing this mark are recorded in the census, each with images and provenance. Each census record on this page links to full cover images, dates and auction provenance.
How do I identify or submit a Calcutta SR46 cover?: Compare your cover against the reference impression and recorded examples on this page — check the mark's shape, colour and date range (1838–1855). If your cover is not already recorded, you can submit front and back photographs through the census form on this page; every submission is editor-reviewed before publication.

Same office

Other recorded marks at Calcutta

182 marks

182 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.

View all Calcutta marks and postal history →

Suggest a correction

Spotted a wrong date, colour or rarity? Propose a change — every suggestion is reviewed before it is applied.

Also searched as: Calcutta SR46, Calcutta Giles SR46, Kolkata postal history, Calcutta handstamp, Calcutta pre stamp cover.

How to cite

“Calcutta SR46 — handstamp,” Hand Struck Stamps, https://handstruckstampsindia.com/bengal/calcutta/sr46 (accessed 14 August 2026).

Updated: 14 Aug 2026