What is the Calcutta X12 handstamp?

Calcutta X12 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Calcutta (modern Kolkata) in the Bengal Presidency, British India, recorded in use around 1776. The "X12" designation is its figure number in the Hammond Giles catalogue of the handstruck postage stamps of India. Known strikes are in black.

How rare is Calcutta X12?

Calcutta X12 has 2 examples recorded 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 X12 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 X12. 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 X12 cover?

Compare your cover against the reference impression and recorded examples on this page — check the mark's shape, colour and date range (1776). 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.

Calcutta X12 — pre-1854 Indian handstamp, 1776, Black

Bengal Presidency · Pre-1854 Handstamp

Calcutta X12

Handstamp

Colour & date: Black1776
Rarity: 2 examples recorded
Note: 17mm
Catalogue: 1989 Catalogue · p. 61
Figure: X12
Submitted by: D. Hammond Giles

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Census

Census records

2 covers recorded

2 pre-1854 covers bearing the Calcutta X12 handstamp are recorded below — each entry links to images, provenance and auction details.

COV-1366

2 December 1776

COV-1839

22 December 1776

Calcutta, 1776, Calcutta Bishop Mark (Giles X4). Folded letter datelined Calcutta Dec. 22, 1776, from Claud Alexander to his brother Boyd Alexander in Moorshedabad (Murshidabad, about 200km north of Calcutta), clear strikes of "CALCUTTA" and "POSTPAID" straightline handstamps (Giles 1a, 2a), well-struck "22/DEC" Bishop Mark datestamp with manuscript numeral date (Giles X4) on bottom flap, wax seal removed VERY FINE. ONE OF THE RAREST AND MOST SOUGHT-AFTER PRE-STAMP POSTAL MARKINGS OF INDIA--THE CALCUTTA BISHOP MARK--OF WHICH ONLY FOUR EXAMPLES ARE THOUGHT TO EXIST IN PRIVATE HANDS. The Calcutta Bishop mark was first introduced in 1775 and is based upon the design of the Henry Bishop marks of London. Despite a rule stating that all letters were to be stamped with the date and month received, the datestamp was evidently infrequently applied to letters. The sender, Claud Alexander, was a member of the East India Company for 15 years from 1771 to 1786. He eventually rose to Senior Merchant and Military Paymaster General for the company in Bengal. His brother, the recipient of the letter, joined him in India in 1776. He served as the East India Company Deputy Paymaster to the garrisons at Patna. Ex Frenkle.

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About this mark

The Calcutta X12 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 X12 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of the post office at Calcutta — the present-day Kolkata — in the Bengal Presidency, British India, recorded in use around 1776. Known strikes are in black. It is listed in 1989 Catalogue, where each marking of British India is assigned a figure number — hence "X12".

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 "2 examples recorded" — the grade moves automatically as new covers are recorded. Collectors searching for calcutta pre stamp covers, calcutta postal history or "Calcutta X12" material can compare X12 across every office or browse the rest of the Calcutta marks.

17mm

Frequently asked

What is the Calcutta X12 handstamp?: Calcutta X12 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Calcutta (modern Kolkata) in the Bengal Presidency, British India, recorded in use around 1776. The "X12" designation is its figure number in the Hammond Giles catalogue of the handstruck postage stamps of India. Known strikes are in black.
How rare is Calcutta X12?: Calcutta X12 has 2 examples recorded 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 X12 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 X12. 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 X12 cover?: Compare your cover against the reference impression and recorded examples on this page — check the mark's shape, colour and date range (1776). 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 X12, Calcutta Giles X12, Kolkata postal history, Calcutta handstamp, Calcutta pre stamp cover.

How to cite

“Calcutta X12 — handstamp,” Hand Struck Stamps, https://handstruckstampsindia.com/bengal/calcutta/x12 (accessed 10 August 2026).

Updated: 10 Aug 2026