Scan or Photo Courtesy of Siegel Auction Galleries
Date
18 June 1849
Description
India, Bombay, 1849, "BOMBAY/SHIP LETTER/1849 June 18/PAID " Framed Datestamp (Giles SD11). Clear strike in red on folded letter to Mauritius, sender's directive "p Pekin to Galle" , framed "PACKET" handstamp, Mauritius (Jul. 21) arrival datestamp, manuscript "1 a" rate marking for ship fee, Very Fine, this marking was specifically used for mail from Bombay to the Persian Gulf, Aden, and Mauritius, Giles notes only five examples though we are aware of several others, still an extremely rare postal marking from Bombay
Auction
Worldwide Stamps and Postal History (Sale 1392, 10 November 2026), Lot 333, (2026)
Same office
Other recorded marks at Bombay
111 marks111 other pre-1854 postal markings of Bombay are recorded in the census. Compare their figure numbers, dates and colours to identify the mark on your cover.
- Bombay HG AhandstampBlack1790
- Bombay HG 1handstampBlack1800
- Bombay HG 1BhandstampBlack1800–1801
- Bombay HG 2handstampBlack1804–1818
- Bombay HG 3handstampBlack1804–1806
- Bombay HG 4handstampBlack1809–1815
+105 more at this office.View all Bombay marks and postal history →
About this Bombay pre stamp cover
COV-5624 is a Bombay pre stamp cover of 18 June 1849 bearing the Bombay SD11 handstamp, struck in red, recorded in the census of Bombay postal history — the office known today as Mumbai, Bombay Presidency. What is a pre stamp cover?
India, Bombay, 1849, "BOMBAY/SHIP LETTER/1849 June 18/PAID " Framed Datestamp (Giles SD11). Clear strike in red on folded letter to Mauritius, sender's directive "p Pekin to Galle" , framed "PACKET" handstamp, Mauritius (Jul. 21) arrival datestamp, manuscript "1 a" rate marking for ship fee, Very Fine, this marking was specifically used for mail from Bombay to the Persian Gulf, Aden, and Mauritius, Giles notes only five examples though we are aware of several others, still an extremely rare postal marking from Bombay
Its recorded auction history runs through Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries Worldwide Stamps and Postal History (Sale 1392, 10 November 2026) lot 333 (2026).
2 images of COV-5624 are recorded; the Bombay SD11 mark itself is recorded in use 1848–1855.
Questions about COV-5624
- What is COV-5624?
- COV-5624 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Bombay, Bombay Presidency of 18 June 1849, bearing the Bombay SD11 handstamp in red. India, Bombay, 1849, "BOMBAY/SHIP LETTER/1849 June 18/PAID " Framed Datestamp (Giles SD11). Clear strike in red on folded letter to Mauritius, sender's directive "p Pekin to Galle" , framed "PACKET" handstamp, Mauritius (Jul. 21) arrival datestamp, manuscript "1 a" rate marking for ship fee, Very Fine, this marking was specifically used for mail from Bombay to the Persian Gulf, Aden, and Mauritius, Giles notes only five examples though we are aware of several others, still an extremely rare postal marking from Bombay
- How scarce is the Bombay SD11 mark on this cover?
- The census grades Bombay SD11 as rare, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1848–1855.
- What is the provenance of COV-5624?
- Its recorded auction history runs through Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries Worldwide Stamps and Postal History (Sale 1392, 10 November 2026) lot 333 (2026).
- When was COV-5624 posted?
- COV-5624 is dated 18 June 1849, within the recorded period of use of Bombay SD11 (1848–1855).
About this record
This 18 June 1849 pre stamp cover of British India bears the Bombay SD11 handstamp of the Bombay Presidency, a mark graded “Rare” in this census — one of 8 surviving covers with this mark recorded. It has appeared at auction with Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries, Worldwide Stamps and Postal History (Sale 1392, 10 November 2026), lot 333, (2026).