How scarce is the Penang FP 2 mark on this cover?

The census grades Penang FP 2 as 2 examples recorded, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1820–1821.

When was COV-4104 posted?

COV-4104 is dated 25 December 1820, within the recorded period of use of Penang FP 2 (1820–1821).

COV-4104

25 December 1820 Penang Cover

Back to census|Penang FP 2 · 2 covers recorded

COV-4366 →

Pre-stamp cover of India — 25 December 1820, Penang FP 2 handstruck folded letter (COV-4104) — front

Pre-stamp cover of India — Penang FP 2, scan 2 (COV-4104)

Scan or Photo Courtesy of Spink

Date

25 December 1820

Description

x Early Letters and Handstamps Penang 1820 (25 Dec.) entire from Penang, via Madras, to "Lt. F. Mackinnon, 18th N. Infantry, Seringapatam", showing a fine strike of the intaglio "post/office/pwi" oval handstamp in red and, on reverse, arrival Ship Letter oval d.s. (10.1.21). A magnificent example of this very elusive handstruck marking of which only one other example on cover is recorded. Photo Estimate £ 12,000-15,000 provenance: E.E. Yates, December 1939 Lt. Col. Rose-Hutchinson, October 1949 Charles S. Taylor, May 1981 Christie´´s Singapore, March 1994

Auction

Robson Lowe

Yates, Lot 312, (Dec. 1939)

Robson Lowe

Rose-Hutchinson, Lot 622, (Oct. 1949)

London and Brighton Stamp Auctions

Lot 17, (May 1981)

Christie's Robson Lowe

Lot 609, (March 1994)

Spink

9023, Lot 4, (16 April 2009)

Spink

26014 - Stamps and Covers of Asia, Lot 5251, (17 June 2026)

Provenance

E.E. Yates, Robson Lowe, December 1939, Lot 312 Lt. Col. Rose-Hutchinson, Robson Lowe, October 1949, Lot 622 Charles Taylor, London and Brighton, May 1981, Lot 17 David Springbett, Christie's Singapore, March 1994, Lot 609 V.T. Nathan, Spink, April 2009, Lot 4

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-4104 is a Penang pre stamp cover of 25 December 1820 bearing the Penang FP 2 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 Robson Lowe Yates lot 312 (Dec. 1939); Robson Lowe Rose-Hutchinson lot 622 (Oct. 1949); London and Brighton Stamp Auctions lot 17 (May 1981); Christie's Robson Lowe lot 609 (March 1994); Spink 9023 lot 4 (16 April 2009); and Spink 26014 - Stamps and Covers of Asia lot 5251 (17 June 2026).

2 images of COV-4104 are recorded (front); the Penang FP 2 mark itself is recorded in use 1820–1821.

Questions about COV-4104

What is COV-4104?: COV-4104 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Penang, Straits Settlements of 25 December 1820, bearing the Penang FP 2 handstamp in black. x Early Letters and Handstamps Penang 1820 (25 Dec.) entire from Penang, via Madras, to "Lt. F. Mackinnon, 18th N. Infantry, Seringapatam", showing a fine strike of the intaglio "post/office/pwi" oval handstamp in red and, on reverse, arrival Ship Letter oval d.s. (10.1.21). A magnificent example of this very elusive handstruck marking of which only one other example on cover is recorded. Photo Estimate £ 12,000-15,000 provenance: E.E. Yates, December 1939 Lt. Col. Rose-Hutchinson, October 1949 Charles S. Taylor, May 1981 Christie´´s Singapore, March 1994
How scarce is the Penang FP 2 mark on this cover?: The census grades Penang FP 2 as 2 examples recorded, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1820–1821.
What is the provenance of COV-4104?: Its recorded auction history runs through Robson Lowe Yates lot 312 (Dec. 1939); Robson Lowe Rose-Hutchinson lot 622 (Oct. 1949); London and Brighton Stamp Auctions lot 17 (May 1981); Christie's Robson Lowe lot 609 (March 1994); Spink 9023 lot 4 (16 April 2009); and Spink 26014 - Stamps and Covers of Asia lot 5251 (17 June 2026).
When was COV-4104 posted?: COV-4104 is dated 25 December 1820, within the recorded period of use of Penang FP 2 (1820–1821).

About this record

This 25 December 1820 pre stamp cover of British India bears the Penang FP 2 handstamp of the Straits Settlements, a mark with 2 examples recorded in this census — one of 2 surviving covers with this mark recorded. It has appeared at auction with Robson Lowe, Yates, lot 312, (Dec. 1939); Robson Lowe, Rose-Hutchinson, lot 622, (Oct. 1949); London and Brighton Stamp Auctions, lot 17, (May 1981); Christie's Robson Lowe, lot 609, (March 1994); Spink, 9023, lot 4, (16 April 2009); Spink, 26014 - Stamps and Covers of Asia, lot 5251, (17 June 2026).