COV-2427 — 19 September 1837 Sholapoor HG 1A Cover
Scan or Photo Courtesy of Kishore Chandak
Census record COV-2427 is a 19 September 1837 pre-stamp cover of British India bearing 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.
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.