Scan or Photo Courtesy of Siegel Auction Galleries
Date
27 Nov 1789
Description
Chass, 1789, "CHASS/POST PAID" Handstamp (Giles 1). Clear two-line handstamp on flap of folded letter written by Charles Boddam and datelined Gya Nov. 27, 1789, addressed to Calcutta, manuscript "5 Anna" paid, two vertical file folds, one which lightly crosses handstamp, Fine strike and the only example of the "CHASS" marking known to us--dated about ten years after the famous Calcutta Bishop Mark (mid 1770s), this is the example cited in the Giles book, and Chass was not listed in the 1837 Post Office Act--the sender, Charles Boddam (1762-1811), was born in India to Rawson Boddam, former Governor of the Bombay Presidency, he was a writer for the East India Company and went on to be appointed as a judge.
Auction
Sale 1286, Lot 18
About this record
This 27 Nov 1789 pre stamp cover of British India bears the Chass HG 1 handstamp of the Bengal Presidency, a mark graded “Rare” in this census — the only surviving cover with this mark recorded so far. It has appeared at auction with Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries, Sale 1286, lot 18.