How scarce is the Bombay SD7 mark on this cover?

The census grades Bombay SD7 as very common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1837–1856.

When was COV-3704 posted?

COV-3704 is dated 1849, within the recorded period of use of Bombay SD7 (1837–1856).

COV-3704

1849 Bombay Cover

Back to census|Bombay SD7 · 53 covers recorded

← COV-3701 COV-3709 →

Pre-stamp cover of India — 1849, Bombay SD7 handstruck folded letter (COV-3704)

Pre-stamp cover of India — Bombay SD7, scan 2 (COV-3704)

Scan or Photo Courtesy of Sephils

Date

1849

Description

India 1849 Entire Letter from Mangalore to Aberdeen, routed via Marseille. Features red oval 'INDIA' mark, scarce origin, addressed to James Gardiner Esq., with Aberdeen arrival postmark.

Auction

Sephils

521, Lot 0100, (2026)

Same office

Other recorded marks at Bombay

111 marks

111 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.

+105 more at this office.View all Bombay marks and postal history →

About this Bombay pre stamp cover

COV-3704 is a Bombay pre stamp cover of 1849 bearing the Bombay SD7 handstamp, struck in black, recorded in the census of Bombay postal history — the office known today as Mumbai, Bombay Presidency. What is a pre stamp cover?

India 1849 Entire Letter from Mangalore to Aberdeen, routed via Marseille. Features red oval 'INDIA' mark, scarce origin, addressed to James Gardiner Esq., with Aberdeen arrival postmark.

Its recorded auction history runs through Sephils 521 lot 0100 (2026).

2 images of COV-3704 are recorded; the Bombay SD7 mark itself is recorded in use 1837–1856.

Questions about COV-3704

What is COV-3704?: COV-3704 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Bombay, Bombay Presidency of 1849, bearing the Bombay SD7 handstamp in black. India 1849 Entire Letter from Mangalore to Aberdeen, routed via Marseille. Features red oval 'INDIA' mark, scarce origin, addressed to James Gardiner Esq., with Aberdeen arrival postmark.
How scarce is the Bombay SD7 mark on this cover?: The census grades Bombay SD7 as very common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1837–1856.
What is the provenance of COV-3704?: Its recorded auction history runs through Sephils 521 lot 0100 (2026).
When was COV-3704 posted?: COV-3704 is dated 1849, within the recorded period of use of Bombay SD7 (1837–1856).

About this record

This 1849 pre stamp cover of British India bears the Bombay SD7 handstamp of the Bombay Presidency, a mark graded “Very common” in this census — one of 53 surviving covers with this mark recorded. It has appeared at auction with Sephils, 521, lot 0100, (2026).