How scarce is the Penang FP 10 mark on this cover?

The census grades Penang FP 10 as rare, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1844–1845.

When was COV-4303 posted?

COV-4303 is dated 2 January 1844, within the recorded period of use of Penang FP 10 (1844–1845).

COV-4303

2 January 1844 Penang Cover

Back to census|Penang FP 10 · 2 covers recorded

COV-4305 →

Pre-stamp cover of India — 2 January 1844, Penang FP 10 handstruck folded letter (COV-4303)

Scan or Photo Courtesy of Spink

Date

2 January 1844

Description

Penang 1844 (2 Jan.) soldier's entire letter to Dublin, headed "From Gr E. Dunn No 430 D Compy 1 Batt Arty", countersigned by Commanding Officer, showing partially impressed "soldiers' & seamen's letter/by ship/4" (In. Sol 7) d.s. showing, on reverse, "penang/free" and just legible "singapore/free" oval datestamps in red with arrival c.d.s. (7.7); small piece of top flap missing through opening. A unique combination of markings, both very rare with only two examples on cover of the Penang marking recorded and four of the Singapore marking recorded. Photo

Auction

Christie's Robson Lowe

Selzer, Lot 3303, (Nov. 1986)

Spink

26014, Lot 5255, (2026)

Provenance

Howard Selzer

Same office

Other recorded marks at Penang

11 marks

11 other pre-1854 postal markings of Penang are recorded in the census. Compare their figure numbers, dates and colours to identify the mark on your cover.

+5 more at this office.View all Penang marks and postal history →

About this Penang pre stamp cover

COV-4303 is a Penang pre stamp cover of 2 January 1844 bearing the Penang FP 10 handstamp, struck in black, recorded in the census of Penang postal history, Straits Settlements. What is a pre stamp cover?

Its recorded auction history runs through Christie's Robson Lowe Selzer lot 3303 (Nov. 1986); and Spink 26014 lot 5255 (2026).

1 image of COV-4303 is recorded; the Penang FP 10 mark itself is recorded in use 1844–1845.

Questions about COV-4303

What is COV-4303?: COV-4303 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Penang, Straits Settlements of 2 January 1844, bearing the Penang FP 10 handstamp in black. Penang 1844 (2 Jan.) soldier's entire letter to Dublin, headed "From Gr E. Dunn No 430 D Compy 1 Batt Arty", countersigned by Commanding Officer, showing partially impressed "soldiers' & seamen's letter/by ship/4" (In. Sol 7) d.s. showing, on reverse, "penang/free" and just legible "singapore/free" oval datestamps in red with arrival c.d.s. (7.7); small piece of top flap missing through opening. A unique combination of markings, both very rare with only two examples on cover of the Penang marking recorded and four of the Singapore marking recorded. Photo
How scarce is the Penang FP 10 mark on this cover?: The census grades Penang FP 10 as rare, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1844–1845.
What is the provenance of COV-4303?: Its recorded auction history runs through Christie's Robson Lowe Selzer lot 3303 (Nov. 1986); and Spink 26014 lot 5255 (2026).
When was COV-4303 posted?: COV-4303 is dated 2 January 1844, within the recorded period of use of Penang FP 10 (1844–1845).

About this record

This 2 January 1844 pre stamp cover of British India bears the Penang FP 10 handstamp of the Straits Settlements, a mark graded “Rare” in this census — one of 2 surviving covers with this mark recorded. It has appeared at auction with Christie's Robson Lowe, Selzer, lot 3303, (Nov. 1986); Spink, 26014, lot 5255, (2026).