Scan or Photo Courtesy of Siegel Auction Galleries
Date
29 January 1812
Description
India, Sylhet, 1812, "POST OFFICE/SYLHET" Double-Oval Handstamp (Giles 1). Clear strike with manuscript "8 as" rate and "29 Jany" date added on back of 1812 folded letter to Edinburgh, Scotland, Calcutta "Bengal G.P.O./JAN/POST PAID" (Giles SD2), red Calcutta (Feb. 4, Giles G2), and Crowned Ship Letter London (Jul. 27) transit and Edinburgh (Jul. 30) arrival datestamps, manuscript "1/5" rate marking, Fine and exceptionally rare used during the territorial period, Sylhet didn't enter British India until 1826 and was often overlooked as it was located in the far reaches of the East India Company (modern-day northeastern Bangladesh)
Auction
Sale 9020, Lot 10136, — The Magnolia Collection Part 5
Provenance
"Magnolia"
Same office
Other recorded marks at Sylhet
1 markOne other pre-1854 postal marking of Sylhet is recorded in the census. Compare it against this mark to place your cover.
About this record
This 29 January 1812 pre stamp cover of British India bears the Sylhet HG 1 handstamp of the Bengal Presidency, a mark graded “Scarce” in this census — one of 9 surviving covers with this mark recorded. It has appeared at auction with Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries, Sale 9020, lot 10136.