Scan or Photo Courtesy of Kishore Chandak
Date
19 September 1837
Description
1837: H.G. 1 : A letter posted from SHOLAPOOR [5 Sept.] to CALCUTTA [19 Sept.] Note showing in manuscript “Sholapur half tola & P. paid 7 ½ an. full” to CALCUTTA, a distance of 1184 miles, the postage paid being half of 15 as. for one Tola single weight. This handstamp : A double ring type in oval, red colour “SHOLAPORE / POST PAID” in outer oval & blank space in inner oval for writing date & rate, is the first handstamp of SHOLAPORE used during 1836-37 for a very brief period & Giles mentioned as a Scarce mark. The postage from SHOLAPORE to CALCUTTA for Single Sicca Weight was 15 as. This letter being charged “Half Rate”, as it weighed less than a Half Shikka & was treated as a “Half Letter”, in accordance with P.O. Regulations of 1830. Very few of these “Half Letters” exist today,as they were abolished two years later in 1832, the scheme being deemed unsuccessful.
Same office
Other recorded marks at Sholapoor
7 marks7 other pre-1854 postal markings of Sholapoor are recorded in the census. Compare their figure numbers, dates and colours to identify the mark on your cover.
About this record
This 19 September 1837 pre stamp cover of British India bears the Sholapoor HG 1A handstamp of the Bombay Presidency, a mark with 1 example recorded in this census — the only surviving cover with this mark recorded so far.