How scarce is the Sylhet HG 1 mark on this cover?

The census grades Sylhet HG 1 as very scarce, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1810–1831.

When was COV-577 posted?

COV-577 is dated 2 December 1820, within the recorded period of use of Sylhet HG 1 (1810–1831).

COV-577

2 December 1820 Sylhet Cover

Back to census|Sylhet HG 1 · 9 covers recorded

← COV-327 COV-694 →

Pre-stamp cover of India — 2 December 1820, Sylhet HG 1 handstruck folded letter (COV-577) — front

Pre-stamp cover of India — Sylhet HG 1, back (COV-577) — back

Scan or Photo Courtesy of Gowtham BJ

Date

2 December 1820

Description

1820 SYLHET Ex-Territorial: Entire letter from Sylhet to Kietah, Bundlecund via Calcutta bearing on the reverse a fine strike of "POST OFFICE*SYLHET*/.../1-2-/2nd Dec. 1820)" oval handstamp in black (Giles 1) and charge/date in m/s, a partially indistinct strike of a red oval d/s ". .../9 DEC 9/1820" alongside. A RARE POSTMARK from Sylhet (today Bangladesh) during its British Ex-territorial statuts before 1826.

Auction

Auktionen Gaertner

36, Lot 5548, (2016)

Private

Same office

Other recorded marks at Sylhet

1 mark

One other pre-1854 postal marking of Sylhet is recorded in the census. Compare it against this mark to place your cover.

Sylhet HG 2handstampBlack1837–1851

View all Sylhet marks and postal history →

About this Sylhet pre stamp cover

COV-577 is a Sylhet pre stamp cover of 2 December 1820 bearing the Sylhet HG 1 handstamp, struck in black, recorded in the census of Sylhet postal history, Bengal Presidency. What is a pre stamp cover?

Its recorded auction history runs through Auktionen Gaertner 36 lot 5548 (2016); and Private.

2 images of COV-577 are recorded (front, back); the Sylhet HG 1 mark itself is recorded in use 1810–1831.

Questions about COV-577

What is COV-577?: COV-577 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Sylhet, Bengal Presidency of 2 December 1820, bearing the Sylhet HG 1 handstamp in black. 1820 SYLHET Ex-Territorial: Entire letter from Sylhet to Kietah, Bundlecund via Calcutta bearing on the reverse a fine strike of "POST OFFICE*SYLHET*/.../1-2-/2nd Dec. 1820)" oval handstamp in black (Giles 1) and charge/date in m/s, a partially indistinct strike of a red oval d/s ". .../9 DEC 9/1820" alongside. A RARE POSTMARK from Sylhet (today Bangladesh) during its British Ex-territorial statuts before 1826.
How scarce is the Sylhet HG 1 mark on this cover?: The census grades Sylhet HG 1 as very scarce, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1810–1831.
What is the provenance of COV-577?: Its recorded auction history runs through Auktionen Gaertner 36 lot 5548 (2016); and Private.
When was COV-577 posted?: COV-577 is dated 2 December 1820, within the recorded period of use of Sylhet HG 1 (1810–1831).

About this record

This 2 December 1820 pre stamp cover of British India bears the Sylhet HG 1 handstamp of the Bengal Presidency, a mark graded “Very scarce” in this census — one of 9 surviving covers with this mark recorded. It has appeared at auction with Auktionen Gaertner, 36, lot 5548, (2016); Private.