How scarce is the Penang FP 2 mark on this cover?

The census grades Penang FP 2 as rare, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1820–1821.

When was COV-4104 posted?

COV-4104 is dated 25 December 1820, within the recorded period of use of Penang FP 2 (1820–1821).

COV-4104

25 December 1820 Penang Cover

Back to census|Penang FP 2 · 2 covers recorded

COV-4366 →

Pre-stamp cover of India — 25 December 1820, Penang FP 2 handstruck folded letter (COV-4104) — front

Pre-stamp cover of India — Penang FP 2, scan 2 (COV-4104)

Scan or Photo Courtesy of Spink

Date

25 December 1820

Description

x Early Letters and Handstamps Penang 1820 (25 Dec.) entire from Penang, via Madras, to "Lt. F. Mackinnon, 18th N. Infantry, Seringapatam", showing a fine strike of the intaglio "post/office/pwi" oval handstamp in red and, on reverse, arrival Ship Letter oval d.s. (10.1.21). A magnificent example of this very elusive handstruck marking of which only one other example on cover is recorded. Photo Estimate £ 12,000-15,000 provenance: E.E. Yates, December 1939 Lt. Col. Rose-Hutchinson, October 1949 Charles S. Taylor, May 1981 Christie´´s Singapore, March 1994

Auction

Robson Lowe

Yates, Lot 312, (Dec. 1939)

Robson Lowe

Rose-Hutchinson, Lot 622, (Oct. 1949)

London and Brighton Stamp Auctions

Lot 17, (May 1981)

Spink

9023, Lot 4, (2009)

Spink

Lot 26014, (2026)

Spink

26014 - Stamps and Covers of Asia, Lot 5251

Provenance

V.T. Nathan E.E. Yates Lt. Col. Rose-Hutchinson Charles S. Taylor

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-4104 is a Penang pre stamp cover of 25 December 1820 bearing the Penang FP 2 handstamp, struck in black, recorded in the census of Penang postal history, Straits Settlements. What is a pre stamp cover?

Its recorded auction history runs through Robson Lowe Yates lot 312 (Dec. 1939); Robson Lowe Rose-Hutchinson lot 622 (Oct. 1949); London and Brighton Stamp Auctions lot 17 (May 1981); Spink 9023 lot 4 (2009); Spink lot 26014 (2026); and Spink 26014 - Stamps and Covers of Asia lot 5251.

2 images of COV-4104 are recorded (front); the Penang FP 2 mark itself is recorded in use 1820–1821.

Questions about COV-4104

What is COV-4104?: COV-4104 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Penang, Straits Settlements of 25 December 1820, bearing the Penang FP 2 handstamp in black. x Early Letters and Handstamps Penang 1820 (25 Dec.) entire from Penang, via Madras, to "Lt. F. Mackinnon, 18th N. Infantry, Seringapatam", showing a fine strike of the intaglio "post/office/pwi" oval handstamp in red and, on reverse, arrival Ship Letter oval d.s. (10.1.21). A magnificent example of this very elusive handstruck marking of which only one other example on cover is recorded. Photo Estimate £ 12,000-15,000 provenance: E.E. Yates, December 1939 Lt. Col. Rose-Hutchinson, October 1949 Charles S. Taylor, May 1981 Christie´´s Singapore, March 1994
How scarce is the Penang FP 2 mark on this cover?: The census grades Penang FP 2 as rare, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1820–1821.
What is the provenance of COV-4104?: Its recorded auction history runs through Robson Lowe Yates lot 312 (Dec. 1939); Robson Lowe Rose-Hutchinson lot 622 (Oct. 1949); London and Brighton Stamp Auctions lot 17 (May 1981); Spink 9023 lot 4 (2009); Spink lot 26014 (2026); and Spink 26014 - Stamps and Covers of Asia lot 5251.
When was COV-4104 posted?: COV-4104 is dated 25 December 1820, within the recorded period of use of Penang FP 2 (1820–1821).

About this record

This 25 December 1820 pre stamp cover of British India bears the Penang FP 2 handstamp of the Straits Settlements, a mark graded “Rare” in this census — one of 2 surviving covers with this mark recorded. It has appeared at auction with Robson Lowe, Yates, lot 312, (Dec. 1939); Robson Lowe, Rose-Hutchinson, lot 622, (Oct. 1949); London and Brighton Stamp Auctions, lot 17, (May 1981); Spink, 9023, lot 4, (2009); Spink, lot 26014, (2026); Spink, 26014 - Stamps and Covers of Asia, lot 5251.