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-4352 posted?

COV-4352 is dated 1 December 1837, within the recorded period of use of Penang FP 4 (1836–1846).

COV-4352

1 December 1837 Penang Cover

Back to census|Penang FP 4 · 16 covers recorded

← COV-4351 COV-4353 →

Pre-stamp cover of India — 1 December 1837, Penang FP 4 handstruck folded letter (COV-4352)

Scan or Photo Courtesy of Spink

Date

1 December 1837

Description

Penang 1837 (1 Dec.) entire letter to France, marked "via Madras per HMS Victor", rated "1/3" (deleted), "1/6" and "90" (decimes), showing framed "Ship Letter" with, on reverse, a very fine strike of framed "pinang/post office" d.s. in black along with Madras Ship Letter (19.12) and Outstation Ship Letter (20.12) datestamps, framed "india letter/plymouth" in red, boxed "pm" in red and London c.d.s. (19.5). A very fine example of this short-lived marking used from August 1837 to July 1839. With transcript. (ID). Photo

Auction

London and Brighton Stamp Auctions

Lot 22, (May 1981)

Spink

18039, Lot 18, (2018)

Provenance

Charles Taylor Nestor Nunez

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-4352 is a Penang pre stamp cover of 1 December 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 London and Brighton Stamp Auctions lot 22 (May 1981); and Spink 18039 lot 18 (2018).

1 image of COV-4352 is recorded; the Penang FP 4 mark itself is recorded in use 1836–1846.

Questions about COV-4352

What is COV-4352?: COV-4352 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Penang, Straits Settlements of 1 December 1837, bearing the Penang FP 4 handstamp in red. Penang 1837 (1 Dec.) entire letter to France, marked "via Madras per HMS Victor", rated "1/3" (deleted), "1/6" and "90" (decimes), showing framed "Ship Letter" with, on reverse, a very fine strike of framed "pinang/post office" d.s. in black along with Madras Ship Letter (19.12) and Outstation Ship Letter (20.12) datestamps, framed "india letter/plymouth" in red, boxed "pm" in red and London c.d.s. (19.5). A very fine example of this short-lived marking used from August 1837 to July 1839. With transcript. (ID). 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-4352?: Its recorded auction history runs through London and Brighton Stamp Auctions lot 22 (May 1981); and Spink 18039 lot 18 (2018).
When was COV-4352 posted?: COV-4352 is dated 1 December 1837, within the recorded period of use of Penang FP 4 (1836–1846).

About this record

This 1 December 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 London and Brighton Stamp Auctions, lot 22, (May 1981); Spink, 18039, lot 18, (2018).