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Hand Struck Stamps

COV-656

2 January 1817 Calcutta SR7 Cover

Back to census|Calcutta SR7 · 26 covers recorded
2 January 1817 Calcutta SR7 pre stamp cover — COV-656
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Calcutta SR7 pre stamp cover — front (COV-656)
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Scan or Photo Courtesy of Siegel Auction Galleries

Date

2 January 1817

Description

Siegel - India, 1816 Partial Folded Letter from London to Madras via Calcutta, Forwarded to Pondicherry. Large part of folded letter (missing side flaps) with "London 29 July 1816" along top and bold "India Ship Letter, London 29 JY 29, 1816" crowned circular datestamp, addressed to Madras, then forwarded to Pondicherry, French India, sender's directive "p Ship via Bombay, Bengal", subsequently crossed out as this cover went via Calcutta instead, well-struck framed "KING'S POST" handstamp (Giles SR7) with manuscript "2d (181)7 Jany" added of Calcutta in transit, "KINGS POSTAGE/INLAND POSTAGE" two-line handstamp (Giles SR1) with manuscript "from Calcutta" below on arrival and framed "Post not Paid" handstamp (Giles 15), forwarded to Pondicherry with "Post Paid/Fort St. George" handstamp (Giles 4) and "19/Jan" handstamp, various rate markings, cover with some minor wear, still Very Fine, an exceptional use and likely a unique combination of markings Cavendish - MADRAS/CALCUTTA/LONDON - RARE COVER WITH TWO DIFFERENT P.O.s’ “KINGS POSTAGE” MARKS; 29 July 1816 E (side-flaps removed) to Madras “P. [Ship] Lord Cathcart” (on flap) charged “1/2” with a very fine “INDIA SHIP LETTER/[Crown]/G.P.O/LONDON” c.d.s. (slight fold) on the front with a remarkably fine Calcutta boxed “KING’S POSTe/Cos. INLd. do./[8an]” d.s. (2 Jan. 1817) nicely placed on the flap; then redirected to Pondicherry and so with Madras mainly v. fine oval-framed “Post Paid/Fort St George” with “19/Jan” on the front, but also with very fine matching Handstruck “KINGS POSTAGE [f6 45]” with “INLAND POSTAGE [from Calcutta fs 16]” (HG SR1) nicely placed on the flap and so then also having a very fine small boxed Madras “Post.not.Paid” on the front. Possibly a Unique combination of markings - exceptional to have the Kings Postage marks of two POs on one cover. Exhibition Item. Madras finally got its own Handstruck King’s Postage marks. PHOTO - see opposite.

Auction

Provenance

"Magnolia" Michael Manning

  • 2025, Robert A. Siegel Sale No. 1325, Lot 3031

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 →

About this record

This 2 January 1817 pre stamp cover of British India bears the Calcutta SR7 handstamp of the Bengal Presidency, a mark graded “Common” in this census — one of 26 surviving covers with this mark recorded. It has appeared at auction with Cavendish Philatelic Auctions Ltd, Manning, lot 216, (Sept. 2015); Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries, lot 3031, (Jun. 2024).