How scarce is the Penang FP 4 mark on this cover?

The census grades Penang FP 4 as scarce, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1836–1846.

When was COV-4350 posted?

COV-4350 is dated 5 January 1837, within the recorded period of use of Penang FP 4 (1836–1846).

COV-4350

5 January 1837 Penang Cover

Back to census|Penang FP 4 · 16 covers recorded

← COV-4349 COV-4351 →

Pre-stamp cover of India — 5 January 1837, Penang FP 4 handstruck folded letter (COV-4350)

Scan or Photo Courtesy of Spink

Date

5 January 1837

Description

Penang 1837 (5 Jan.) entire letter to London, rated "1/1" and showing, on reverse, good to fine framed "pinang/post office" datestamp in red partly overstruck by Calcutta transit d.s. (22.1) and framed "india letter/falmouth", both also in red, Calcutta G.P.O. Ship Letter d.s. and arrival c.d.s. (12.6). Rare, we record only twelve examples of this datestamp, used between April 1837 and June 1837. (CJS). Photo

Auction

Spink

18039, Lot 16, (2018)

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-4350 is a Penang pre stamp cover of 5 January 1837 bearing the Penang FP 4 handstamp, struck in red, recorded in the census of Penang postal history, Straits Settlements. What is a pre stamp cover?

Its recorded auction history runs through Spink 18039 lot 16 (2018).

1 image of COV-4350 is recorded; the Penang FP 4 mark itself is recorded in use 1836–1846.

Questions about COV-4350

What is COV-4350?: COV-4350 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Penang, Straits Settlements of 5 January 1837, bearing the Penang FP 4 handstamp in red. Penang 1837 (5 Jan.) entire letter to London, rated "1/1" and showing, on reverse, good to fine framed "pinang/post office" datestamp in red partly overstruck by Calcutta transit d.s. (22.1) and framed "india letter/falmouth", both also in red, Calcutta G.P.O. Ship Letter d.s. and arrival c.d.s. (12.6). Rare, we record only twelve examples of this datestamp, used between April 1837 and June 1837. (CJS). Photo
How scarce is the Penang FP 4 mark on this cover?: The census grades Penang FP 4 as scarce, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1836–1846.
What is the provenance of COV-4350?: Its recorded auction history runs through Spink 18039 lot 16 (2018).
When was COV-4350 posted?: COV-4350 is dated 5 January 1837, within the recorded period of use of Penang FP 4 (1836–1846).

About this record

This 5 January 1837 pre stamp cover of British India bears the Penang FP 4 handstamp of the Straits Settlements, a mark graded “Scarce” in this census — one of 16 surviving covers with this mark recorded. It has appeared at auction with Spink, 18039, lot 16, (2018).