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-4353 posted?

COV-4353 is dated 1 September 1838, within the recorded period of use of Penang FP 4 (1836–1846).

COV-4353

1 September 1838 Penang Cover

Back to census|Penang FP 4 · 16 covers recorded

← COV-4352 COV-4354 →

Pre-stamp cover of India — 1 September 1838, Penang FP 4 handstruck folded letter (COV-4353)

Scan or Photo Courtesy of Spink

Date

1 September 1838

Description

Penang 1838 (1 Sept.) entire letter to London, rated "2/4" and showing, on reverse, mainly fine framed "pinang/post office" datestamp in black partly overstruck by arrival c.d.s. (4.3), framed "calcutta/ship letter/Bearing" with framed "india letter/deal" on face. Rare, we record nine examples of this datestamp used between August 1837 and July 1839. (CJS). Photo

Auction

Spink

18039, Lot 19, (2018)

Spink

21014, Lot 104, (2021)

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-4353 is a Penang pre stamp cover of 1 September 1838 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 19 (2018); and Spink 21014 lot 104 (2021).

1 image of COV-4353 is recorded; the Penang FP 4 mark itself is recorded in use 1836–1846.

Questions about COV-4353

What is COV-4353?: COV-4353 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Penang, Straits Settlements of 1 September 1838, bearing the Penang FP 4 handstamp in red. Penang 1838 (1 Sept.) entire letter to London, rated "2/4" and showing, on reverse, mainly fine framed "pinang/post office" datestamp in black partly overstruck by arrival c.d.s. (4.3), framed "calcutta/ship letter/Bearing" with framed "india letter/deal" on face. Rare, we record nine examples of this datestamp used between August 1837 and July 1839. (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-4353?: Its recorded auction history runs through Spink 18039 lot 19 (2018); and Spink 21014 lot 104 (2021).
When was COV-4353 posted?: COV-4353 is dated 1 September 1838, within the recorded period of use of Penang FP 4 (1836–1846).

About this record

This 1 September 1838 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 19, (2018); Spink, 21014, lot 104, (2021).