Implementation of postage reforms and the introduction of postage stamps in India from 1854 came along with several new trials on how the postal system functioned throughout the country. During this process, the need of franking the stamps and identifying the dispatch offices were prominent and in the course of the same, different kind of Postmarks and Cancellations were introduced over a period of time.
These cancellations have been well categorized and documented by stalwarts like Jal Cooper (F.R.G.S.) & W. Renouf (F.R.P.S.L.) and have given different Types/numbers to these cancellations. During the mid-19th century, Type 9 cancellations were pre-dominantly used across all postal circles.
Starting from the period of 1862, succeeding from Type 9 cancellation, the new Type 10 cancellations were introduced which consisted part of the design like the flowers which were inherited from Type 9 cancellation.
Type-10 cancellation has three parts, to the left is the double circle with the name of the office and the date. To the right is the diamond of 10 lines rising from left to right. They enclose the PO number. The third part is the connector linking the circle with the diamond.
Calcutta being the H.O. of Bengal Circle, used the Type 10 cancellation sparingly, from the period as early as 1862 to as late as 1873. This study covers the usage of Type 10 Cancellation in Calcutta and identifies various sub-types of Type-10.
Study of Type-10 Cancellation used in Calcutta by Samik Nandi has been widely published and was an important article in the quarterly magazine “India Post” of India Study Circle (Vol. 52, 2018). Since then, this study is widely used in the categorization of the sub-types of Type-10 cancellations.
Note: This study is published here at NityaPushta website with the written consent of Mr. Samik Nandi
