Lot 40116 - INDIA — 1857 MUTINY-ERA TRANSATLANTIC MAIL — CALCUTTA

1857 MUTINY-ERA TRANSATLANTIC MAIL — CALCUTTA TO SALEM, MASSACHUSETTS — “INDIA UNPAID” — CARRIED BY S.S. ALMA. 1857 Indian Mutiny-era unpaid cover from Calcutta to Salem, Massachusetts, posted during the height of the Indian Rebellion of 1857–58, a period of profound political upheaval and disruption to communications across British India. Sent “Via Southampton”, the cover bears a remarkably clear boxed “INDIA UNPAID” handstamp and bold manuscript “33” cents charge, representing the substantial postage due upon arrival in the United States. Reverse with G.P.O. CALCUTTA, 24 NOV 1857 departure datestamp and NEW YORK, 24 JAN 1858 arrival marking, documenting a two-month journey from India to the United States. Of additional maritime interest, the letter was carried by the P&O steamer S.S. Alma, one of the vessels serving the important India–Europe mail route during the Mutiny period. Alma participated in the movement of mails and communications at this critical moment in Indian history and was herself dramatically lost in 1859 on a Red Sea reef while carrying the Indian mails. A particularly evocative combination of Indian Mutiny, transatlantic and maritime postal history, enhanced by the striking “INDIA UNPAID” marking, unusual 33-cent unpaid rate, documented Calcutta–New York routing and association with the S.S. Alma. A rare and historically significant survivor from one of the most turbulent periods of nineteenth-century Indian postal history. Closed tear in top left corner and some rough edges, overall fine and rare.