Scan or Photo Courtesy of Kishore Chandak
Date
1837
Description
1837 : H.G. 4 : The cover was first stamped with the scarce "TIPPERA / Paid" despatch stamp in black [although the P.O. Act required "PAID" stamp to be in red] and 1 anna postage took the letter to CALCUTTA, where it received the Ship Letter despatch stamp in red. 1839 : S.D.11 : The "CALCUTTA/G.P.O. / SHIP LETTER/ 25 DE 25/1837" stamp, 39 mm, and in red ink, probably came into use with the publication of the Post Office Act In October,1837, and this cover has the earliest example yet recorded of its use in December, 1837.
Same office
Other recorded marks at Tipperah
3 marks3 other pre-1854 postal markings of Tipperah are recorded in the census. Compare their figure numbers, dates and colours to identify the mark on your cover.
About this record
This 1837 pre stamp cover of British India bears the Tipperah HG 4 handstamp of the Bengal Presidency, a mark graded “Common” in this census — one of 3 surviving covers with this mark recorded.