Scan or Photo Courtesy of Siegel Auction Galleries
Date
24 October 1854
Description
Used in Straits Settlements--Penang, 1854, 1a Red, Die I (4; SG 12). Horizontal pair, large to full margins all around, tied by diamond of dots cancel on folded letter to Calcutta, red "Penang Paid" boxed handstamp with manuscript date "1854 Oct 24" on back, black Calcutta boxed arrival backstamp, overall soiling slightly affecting stamps, some splitting along folds, tear at top, minor ink erosion which has been reinforced FINE. THIS IS THE EARLIEST RECORDED STAMPED LETTER FROM PENANG--USED IN THE FIRST MONTH THE INDIA 1854 ISSUE WAS AVAILABLE. THIS IS ALSO THE ONLY KNOWN EXAMPLE OF THE "PENANG PAID" HANDSTAMP. The India 1854 Lithograph stamps were officially issued on October 1, 1854 (and probably not sold until the next day)--any use in the first month is very scarce and highly sought after, but this use in October 1854 from Penang is extraordinary. The "Penang Paid" marking was previously unrecorded by Proud, but is now listed in the updated edition as Proud P.S. 8 (with this as the only known date). It is presumed to be the only recorded example. Ex Dr. Kornan.
Auction
1286, Lot 240, (May 2023)
Provenance
"Magnolia" Dr. Kornan
Same office
Other recorded marks at Penang
10 marks10 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 4handstampRed1836–1846
- Penang FP 5handstampBlack1840–1846
- Penang FP 6handstampBlack1849–1855
- Penang FP 8handstampBlack1844–1847
- Penang FP 9handstampBlack1847–1854
- Penang FP 10handstampBlack1844
- Penang FP 11handstampBlack1838–1847
About this record
This 24 October 1854 pre stamp cover of British India bears the Penang FP 7 handstamp of the Straits Settlements, a mark graded “Rare” in this census — the only surviving cover with this mark recorded so far. It has appeared at auction with Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries, 1286, lot 240, (May 2023).