COV-4354
1 September 1838 Penang Cover
Scan or Photo Courtesy of Spink
Date
1 September 1838
Description
STRAITS SETTLEMENTS Early Letters and Handstamps Penang 1838 (1 Sept.) entire to London, marked "Via Singapore", rated "2/4", showing framed "india letter/portsmouth" with, on reverse, fine strike of framed "pinang/post office" d.s. in black (Type PS5; latest recorded date) and red arrival c.d.s. (9.2.1839). A fine example of this short-lived marking, used from August 1837 to September 1838. Photo Estimate S$ 4,000-5,000
Auction
Provenance
Dr. Chua Eu Tiong
Same office
Other recorded marks at Penang
11 marks11 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.
- Penang FP 1handstampBlack1806–1817
- Penang FP 2handstampBlack1820–1821
- Penang FP 3handstampBlack1826–1836
- Penang FP 5handstampBlack1840–1850
- Penang FP 6handstampBlack1849–1855
- Penang FP 7handstampBlack1854–1858
+5 more at this office.View all Penang marks and postal history →
About this Penang pre stamp cover
COV-4354 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?
STRAITS SETTLEMENTS Early Letters and Handstamps Penang 1838 (1 Sept.) entire to London, marked "Via Singapore", rated "2/4", showing framed "india letter/portsmouth" with, on reverse, fine strike of framed "pinang/post office" d.s. in black (Type PS5; latest recorded date) and red arrival c.d.s. (9.2.1839). A fine example of this short-lived marking, used from August 1837 to September 1838. Photo Estimate S$ 4,000-5,000
Its recorded auction history runs through Spink 5008 lot 24 (2005); and Spink 26014 lot 5254 (2026).
1 image of COV-4354 is recorded; the Penang FP 4 mark itself is recorded in use 1836–1846.
Questions about COV-4354
- What is COV-4354?
- COV-4354 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Penang, Straits Settlements of 1 September 1838, bearing the Penang FP 4 handstamp in red. STRAITS SETTLEMENTS Early Letters and Handstamps Penang 1838 (1 Sept.) entire to London, marked "Via Singapore", rated "2/4", showing framed "india letter/portsmouth" with, on reverse, fine strike of framed "pinang/post office" d.s. in black (Type PS5; latest recorded date) and red arrival c.d.s. (9.2.1839). A fine example of this short-lived marking, used from August 1837 to September 1838. Photo Estimate S$ 4,000-5,000
- 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-4354?
- Its recorded auction history runs through Spink 5008 lot 24 (2005); and Spink 26014 lot 5254 (2026).
- When was COV-4354 posted?
- COV-4354 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, 5008, lot 24, (2005); Spink, 26014, lot 5254, (2026).