Scan or Photo Courtesy of Kishore Chandak
Date
1830
Description
1830 : H.G.1: Letter posted from GOWALPARA [1 June] to CALCUTTA [10 June]. Prior to the discovery of this letter, the only know example of the "GOWALPARA / POST OFFICE" despatch stamp was on a cover that belongs to Dr. Parsons, dated 1837, but this cover below, shows that the intaglio stamp was in use at least 7 years earlier, this letter been sent to CALCUTTA in 1830, with postage payable on delivery. The amount due has been recorded as 6 annas in the CALCUTTA Receipt Stamp "G.P.O/JUNE/ Bg.Pg."It is difficult to confirm this rate, as "GOWALPARA" does not appear in any Postal Notice until 1832, when the rate to CALCUTTA was shown as 7 annas but it seems that 6 annas is correct, as the rate from PATNA to CALCUTTA was 6 annas before 1832, and was increased to 7 annas in that year. The Postal Notice of 1832 spells the Post Office spelling as "GOWALPARRAH", but, although the impression above is not perfect the space after clear letters of "GOWALPA" is insufficient to permit an "H" at the end, or even a double "R". Also Dr. Parson's copy clearly showed that the last three letters are"ARA", so that, with the combination of the only two available examples of this intaglio stamp, it can be safely stated that the spelling is "GOWALPARA" Cover.
Provenance
Ex. Giles.
Same office
Other recorded marks at Gowalpara
2 marks2 other pre-1854 postal markings of Gowalpara are recorded in the census. Compare their figure numbers, dates and colours to identify the mark on your cover.
About this Gowalpara pre stamp cover
COV-757 is a Gowalpara pre stamp cover of 1830 bearing the Gowalpara HG 1 handstamp, struck in black, recorded in the census of Gowalpara postal history — the office known today as Goalpara, Bengal Presidency. What is a pre stamp cover?
1830 : H.G.1: Letter posted from GOWALPARA [1 June] to CALCUTTA [10 June]. Prior to the discovery of this letter, the only know example of the "GOWALPARA / POST OFFICE" despatch stamp was on a cover that belongs to Dr. Parsons, dated 1837, but this cover below, shows that the intaglio stamp was in use at least 7 years earlier, this letter been sent to CALCUTTA in 1830, with postage payable on delivery. The amount due has been recorded as 6 annas in the CALCUTTA Receipt Stamp "G.P.O/JUNE/ Bg.Pg."It is difficult to confirm this rate, as "GOWALPARA" does not appear in any Postal Notice until 1832, when the rate to CALCUTTA was shown as 7 annas but it seems that 6 annas is correct, as the rate from PATNA to CALCUTTA was 6 annas before 1832, and was increased to 7 annas in that year. The Postal Notice of 1832 spells the Post Office spelling as "GOWALPARRAH", but, although the impression above is not perfect the space after clear letters of "GOWALPA" is insufficient to permit an "H" at the end, or even a double "R". Also Dr. Parson's copy clearly showed that the last three letters are"ARA", so that, with the combination of the only two available examples of this intaglio stamp, it can be safely stated that the spelling is "GOWALPARA" Cover.
Ex. Giles.
1 image of COV-757 is recorded; the Gowalpara HG 1 mark itself is recorded in use 1830–1837.
Questions about COV-757
- What is COV-757?
- COV-757 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Gowalpara, Bengal Presidency of 1830, bearing the Gowalpara HG 1 handstamp in black. 1830 : H.G.1: Letter posted from GOWALPARA [1 June] to CALCUTTA [10 June]. Prior to the discovery of this letter, the only know example of the "GOWALPARA / POST OFFICE" despatch stamp was on a cover that belongs to Dr. Parsons, dated 1837, but this cover below, shows that the intaglio stamp was in use at least 7 years earlier, this letter been sent to CALCUTTA in 1830, with postage payable on delivery. The amount due has been recorded as 6 annas in the CALCUTTA Receipt Stamp "G.P.O/JUNE/ Bg.Pg."It is difficult to confirm this rate, as "GOWALPARA" does not appear in any Postal Notice until 1832, when the rate to CALCUTTA was shown as 7 annas but it seems that 6 annas is correct, as the rate from PATNA to CALCUTTA was 6 annas before 1832, and was increased to 7 annas in that year. The Postal Notice of 1832 spells the Post Office spelling as "GOWALPARRAH", but, although the impression above is not perfect the space after clear letters of "GOWALPA" is insufficient to permit an "H" at the end, or even a double "R". Also Dr. Parson's copy clearly showed that the last three letters are"ARA", so that, with the combination of the only two available examples of this intaglio stamp, it can be safely stated that the spelling is "GOWALPARA" Cover.
- How scarce is the Gowalpara HG 1 mark on this cover?
- The census grades Gowalpara HG 1 as rare, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1830–1837.
- What is the provenance of COV-757?
- Ex. Giles.
- When was COV-757 posted?
- COV-757 is dated 1830, within the recorded period of use of Gowalpara HG 1 (1830–1837).
About this record
This 1830 pre stamp cover of British India bears the Gowalpara HG 1 handstamp of the Bengal Presidency, a mark graded “Rare” in this census — one of 3 surviving covers with this mark recorded.