Scan or Photo Courtesy of Spink
Date
20 May 1843
Description
x) Straits Settlements Early Letters and Handstamps Malacca 1843 (20 May) entire letter ex the Rev. Bradley correspondence from Tavoy, Burma to Bangkok, marked "Paid 2as" and showing, on reverse across join, fine framed "malacca/ship letter/Bearing" d.s. erroneously struck in red with Moulmein Ship Letter Bearing, Calcutta Ship Letter and Calcutta G.P.O. datestamps alongside. Very rare, only six examples recorded. Photo
Auction
Same office
Other recorded marks at Malacca
1 markOne other pre-1854 postal marking of Malacca is recorded in the census. Compare it against this mark to place your cover.
About this Malacca pre stamp cover
COV-3380 is a Malacca pre stamp cover of 20 May 1843 bearing the Malacca FP 2 handstamp, struck in black, recorded in the census of Malacca postal history, Straits Settlements. What is a pre stamp cover?
x) Straits Settlements Early Letters and Handstamps Malacca 1843 (20 May) entire letter ex the Rev. Bradley correspondence from Tavoy, Burma to Bangkok, marked "Paid 2as" and showing, on reverse across join, fine framed "malacca/ship letter/Bearing" d.s. erroneously struck in red with Moulmein Ship Letter Bearing, Calcutta Ship Letter and Calcutta G.P.O. datestamps alongside. Very rare, only six examples recorded. Photo
Its recorded auction history runs through Spink 26014 lot 5249 (2026).
1 image of COV-3380 is recorded; the Malacca FP 2 mark itself is recorded in use 1842–1844.
Questions about COV-3380
- What is COV-3380?
- COV-3380 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Malacca, Straits Settlements of 20 May 1843, bearing the Malacca FP 2 handstamp in black. x) Straits Settlements Early Letters and Handstamps Malacca 1843 (20 May) entire letter ex the Rev. Bradley correspondence from Tavoy, Burma to Bangkok, marked "Paid 2as" and showing, on reverse across join, fine framed "malacca/ship letter/Bearing" d.s. erroneously struck in red with Moulmein Ship Letter Bearing, Calcutta Ship Letter and Calcutta G.P.O. datestamps alongside. Very rare, only six examples recorded. Photo
- How scarce is the Malacca FP 2 mark on this cover?
- The census grades Malacca FP 2 as rare, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1842–1844.
- What is the provenance of COV-3380?
- Its recorded auction history runs through Spink 26014 lot 5249 (2026).
- When was COV-3380 posted?
- COV-3380 is dated 20 May 1843, within the recorded period of use of Malacca FP 2 (1842–1844).
About this record
This 20 May 1843 pre stamp cover of British India bears the Malacca FP 2 handstamp of the Straits Settlements, a mark graded “Rare” in this census — one of 6 surviving covers with this mark recorded. It has appeared at auction with Spink, 26014, lot 5249, (2026).