Lot 8
8
cover 1775 (2 Feb.) entire letter from Croftes and Johnson to William Boughton Rous, Chief of the Provincial Council of Revenue at Dacca, showing "POSTPAID" (HG 2) and, on reverse, a superb strike of the India Bishop mark for "2/FEB" (HG X2) alongside equally fine "CALCUTTA" (HG 1). A remarkable cover, being the earliest of the four India Bishop marks recorded in private hands. Photo
The Indian Bishop Mark The Earliest Recorded Example in Private Hands
cover 1775 (2 Feb.) entire letter from Croftes and Johnson to William Boughton Rous, Chief of the Provincial Council of Revenue at Dacca, showing "POSTPAID" (HG 2) and, on reverse, a superb strike of the India Bishop mark for "2/FEB" (HG X2) alongside equally fine "CALCUTTA" (HG 1). A remarkable cover, being the earliest of the four India Bishop marks recorded in private hands. Photo

Details
cover 1775 (2 Feb.) entire letter from Croftes and Johnson to William Boughton Rous, Chief of the Provincial Council of Revenue at Dacca, showing "POSTPAID" (HG 2) and, on reverse, a superb strike of the India Bishop mark for "2/FEB" (HG X2) alongside equally fine "CALCUTTA" (HG 1). A remarkable cover, being the earliest of the four India Bishop marks recorded in private hands. Photo
Further details
Note: It can now be established with certainty that the Bishop mark was introduced in the Calcutta General Post Office. The authority for its use in Calcutta is Bye-Rule 8 of the consultations dated 17 January, 1774, reading "That all letters shall be stamped with the day of the month on which they are delivered into any chief office". The system was adopted on 31 March 1774.The above cover was reproduced on a 2Rs. commemorative stamp issued by India Posts and Telegraphs in connection with the 1975 INPEX National Stamp Exhibition in Calcutta