How scarce is the Calcutta SR7 mark on this cover?

The census grades Calcutta SR7 as common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1815–1819.

When was COV-1659 posted?

COV-1659 is dated May 1819, within the recorded period of use of Calcutta SR7 (1815–1819).

COV-1659

May 1819 Calcutta Cover

Back to census|Calcutta SR7 · 27 covers recorded

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Pre-stamp cover of India — May 1819, Calcutta SR7 handstruck folded letter (COV-1659) — front

Pre-stamp cover of India — Calcutta SR7, scan 2 (COV-1659)

Scan or Photo Courtesy of Spink

Date

May 1819

Description

1819 (May) entire letter from Scotland to the Resident at Delhi, c/o James Baillie Fraser at Calcutta, rated “4/7½”, with London crowned “INDIA PACKET LETTER” d.s.; reverse with good framed Calcutta “KING’S POST / Co’s INLd. do. / 181_” d.s., completed in manuscript for Rs. 2.1.6.

Auction

Spink

Lot 38

Provenance

Derek Hammond Giles

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-1659 is a Calcutta pre stamp cover of May 1819 bearing the Calcutta SR7 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 Spink lot 38.

2 images of COV-1659 are recorded (front); the Calcutta SR7 mark itself is recorded in use 1815–1819.

Questions about COV-1659

What is COV-1659?: COV-1659 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Calcutta, Bengal Presidency of May 1819, bearing the Calcutta SR7 handstamp in black. 1819 (May) entire letter from Scotland to the Resident at Delhi, c/o James Baillie Fraser at Calcutta, rated “4/7½”, with London crowned “INDIA PACKET LETTER” d.s.; reverse with good framed Calcutta “KING’S POST / Co’s INLd. do. / 181_” d.s., completed in manuscript for Rs. 2.1.6.
How scarce is the Calcutta SR7 mark on this cover?: The census grades Calcutta SR7 as common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1815–1819.
What is the provenance of COV-1659?: Its recorded auction history runs through Spink lot 38.
When was COV-1659 posted?: COV-1659 is dated May 1819, within the recorded period of use of Calcutta SR7 (1815–1819).

About this record

This May 1819 pre stamp cover of British India bears the Calcutta SR7 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 Spink, lot 38.