Provenance & prices realized
Indian Pre Stamp Covers at Auction
This census traces 3855 pre-1854 Indian pre stamp covers through 4324recorded auction appearances at houses including Argyll Etkin, Spink and Christie’s — with sale and lot references, and documented prices realized, linked to the full record of every cover.
What have Indian pre stamp covers sold for?
Documented prices realized in the census — each row links to the cover’s full record with images and provenance.
| Cover | Handstamp | Auction house | Year | Price realized |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| COV-3June 1857 | Ahmednugur HG 3 | Siegel Auction Galleries | 2026 | $100 |
| COV-418 February 1835 | Alleppy HG Add. 1 | Siegel Auction Galleries | 2026 | $3,000 |
| COV-511 January 1831 | Alleppy HG Add. 2 | Siegel Auction Galleries | 2026 | $1,500 |
| COV-610 August 1816 | Bangalore HG 2 | Siegel Auction Galleries | 2026 | $425 |
| COV-723 September 1827 | Bangalore HG 6 | Siegel Auction Galleries | 2026 | $475 |
| COV-89 January 1828 | Barrackpore HG 1 | Siegel Auction Galleries | 2026 | $200 |
| COV-92 January 1833 | Bauleah HG 2 | Siegel Auction Galleries | 2026 | $250 |
| COV-105 November 1826 | Benares HG 3 | Siegel Auction Galleries | 2026 | $150 |
| COV-115 July 1817 | Berhampore HG 3 | Siegel Auction Galleries | 2026 | $120 |
| COV-1228 July 1827 | Bhauglepoor HG 4 | Siegel Auction Galleries | 2026 | $130 |
| COV-13 | Bhilsa HG 1 | Siegel Auction Galleries | 2026 | $100 |
| COV-141852 | Bhilsa HG 2 | Siegel Auction Galleries | 2026 | $250 |
| COV-15 | Bombay HG 12 | Siegel Auction Galleries | 2026 | $375 |
| COV-1613 August 1851 | Bombay SD10 | Siegel Auction Galleries | 2026 | $170 |
| COV-175 January 1795 | Calcutta HG 10 | Siegel Auction Galleries | 2026 | $120 |
| COV-181847 | Calcutta G15 | Siegel Auction Galleries | 2026 | $1,800 |
| COV-1911 September 1800 | Calcutta SD2 | Siegel Auction Galleries | 2026 | $110 |
| COV-20 | Calcutta SD11 | Siegel Auction Galleries | 2026 | $475 |
| COV-21 | Calcutta SD13 | Siegel Auction Galleries | 2026 | $325 |
| COV-2210 February 1817 | Calcutta SR7 | Siegel Auction Galleries | 2026 | $350 |
| COV-23 | Calcutta SR8 | Siegel Auction Galleries | 2026 | $140 |
| COV-2415 April 1815 | Camp HG 2 | Siegel Auction Galleries | 2026 | $250 |
| COV-26 | Cherapunjee HG 2 | Siegel Auction Galleries | 2026 | $475 |
| COV-2715 August 1817 | Chittoor HG 2 | Siegel Auction Galleries | 2026 | $250 |
| COV-2813 May 1830 | Cuddapah HG 3 | Siegel Auction Galleries | 2026 | $200 |
| COV-2914 April 1844 | Danoor HG 2 | Siegel Auction Galleries | 2026 | $1,100 |
| COV-31 | Deenajpoor HG 1 | Siegel Auction Galleries | 2026 | $325 |
Which auction houses handle Indian pre stamp covers?
Census covers traced to each house. Select a house for its full page, or visit its website.
Private202 covers
David Feldmanwebsite ↗189 covers
Corinphila Auctionswebsite ↗94 covers
David Feldmanwebsite ↗85 covers
collectorbazarwebsite ↗77 covers
Corinphila Auctionswebsite ↗75 covers
India Study Circlewebsite ↗67 covers
Christie's Robson Lowewebsite ↗52 covers
Argyll Etkinwebsite ↗41 covers
Auktionen Gaertnerwebsite ↗28 covers
Robson Lowe23 covers
London and Brighton Stamp Auctions22 covers
NityaPushta20 covers
Argyll Etkinwebsite ↗17 covers
Philaindia16 covers
Ava Auctionswebsite ↗11 covers
Stanley Gibbons Baldwin'swebsite ↗10 covers
marudharartswebsite ↗10 covers
collectorbazarwebsite ↗8 covers
Robson Lowe Basel8 covers
Heinrich Köhlerwebsite ↗7 covers
H.R. Harmerwebsite ↗4 covers
Cherrystone Auctionswebsite ↗3 covers
Stanley Gibbonswebsite ↗3 covers
Harmers of London2 covers
Kelleher Auctionswebsite ↗2 covers
91 cover
9091 cover
CompuStamp1 cover
Corinphila Auctionswebsite ↗1 cover
Heinrich Köhlerwebsite ↗1 cover
Interasia1 cover
Sukhani Europhil Auctions1 cover
Recently recorded covers with auction provenance
| Cover | Handstamp | Auction | Sale / lot |
|---|---|---|---|
| COV-5609 | Calcutta G18 | Grosvenor Philatelic Auctions(2026) | GPA 175: Specialised Great Britain (26 October 2026), lot 382 |
| COV-5608 | Bombay HG 22 | Grosvenor Philatelic Auctions(2026) | GPA 175: Specialised Great Britain (26 October 2026), lot 380 |
| COV-5607 | Bombay SD10 | Spink(12 July 2011) | Summer Collector's Series sale (Sale 11029), lot 424 |
| COV-5606 | Bombay SD10 | Spink(5 May 2011) | Spring Collector's Series (Sale 11018), lot 326 |
| COV-5605 | Aden FP 2 | Spink(2–18 May 2023) | The Philatelic Collector's Series Sale - e-Auction (Sale 23117), lot 3005 |
| COV-5604 | Aden FP 2 | Spink(19 October 2011) | Pearls of Arabia (Sale 11043), lot 1004 |
| COV-5603 | Aden FP 4 | Spink | Spink, lot 224 |
| COV-5601 | Singapore FP 5 | Spink(4 July 2009) | Stamps of South East Asia (Sale 9018), lot 530 |
| COV-5600 | Singapore FP 5 | Spink(4 July 2009) | Stamps of South East Asia (Sale 9018), lot 530 |
| COV-5599 | Singapore FP 6 | Spink(13 December 2024) | Stamps and Covers of the World (Sale 24030), lot 3537 |
| COV-5598 | Sheally HG 2 | Spink(14–31 January 2022) | The Philatelic Collector's Series - e-Auction (Sale 22012), lot 2781 |
| COV-5597 | Patna HG 14b | Spink(14–31 January 2022) | The Philatelic Collector's Series - e-Auction (Sale 22012), lot 2781 |
| COV-5596 | Singapore FP 5 | Spink(30 June – 21 July 2021) | The Philatelic Collectors' Series e-Auction (Sale 21126), lot 1758 |
| COV-5595 | Calcutta SD12 | Collector Bazar(2026) | Online Auction No. 26 — British India - Postal History, Cancellations & Postmarks (27 September 2026), lot 26B05 |
| COV-5594 | Calcutta SD10 | Collector Bazar(2026) | Online Auction No. 26 — British India - Postal History, Cancellations & Postmarks (27 September 2026), lot 26B06 |
| COV-5593 | Mundissore HG 3 | Collector Bazar(2026) | Online Auction No. 26 — British India - Postal History, Cancellations & Postmarks (27 September 2026), lot 26B20 |
| COV-5592 | Nagpore HG 3 | Collector Bazar(2026) | Online Auction No. 26 — British India - Postal History, Cancellations & Postmarks (27 September 2026), lot 26B19 |
| COV-5591 | Calcutta HG 24 | Collector Bazar(2026) | Online Auction No. 26 — British India - Postal History, Cancellations & Postmarks (27 September 2026), lot 26B17 |
| COV-5590 | Houghly HG 2 | Collector Bazar(2026) | Online Auction No. 26 — British India - Postal History, Cancellations & Postmarks (27 September 2026), lot 26B10 |
| COV-5589 | Madras SD21a | Collector Bazar(2026) | Online Auction No. 26 — British India - Postal History, Cancellations & Postmarks (27 September 2026), lot 26B07 |
| COV-5587 | Chittagong HG 4 | Collector Bazar(2026) | Online Auction No. 26 — British India - Postal History, Cancellations & Postmarks (27 September 2026), lot 26B03 |
| COV-5586 | Bangalore HG 17 | collectorbazar(2026) | lot 26B23 |
| COV-5585 | Cawnpore HG 9 | collectorbazar(2026) | lot 26B01 |
| COV-5584 | Poona HG 9 | eBay | lot 206591354035 |
| COV-5583 | Singapore FP 4 | Spink(20 September 2014) | Stamps and Covers of South East Asia including the Peter Cockburn Award Winning Collection of Straits Settlements and Malayan States Revenue Stamps (Sale 14026), lot 780 |
| COV-5582 | Singapore FP 4 | Spink(4 July 2009) | Stamps of South East Asia (Sale 9018), lot 529 |
| COV-5581 | Barrackpore HG 5 | Spink(6 December 2022) | Stamps and Covers of Asia featuring the Peter Cockburn FRPSL Collection of Malaya B.M.A. (Sale 22026), lot 382 |
| COV-5580 | Singapore FP 4 | Spink(6 December 2022) | Stamps and Covers of Asia featuring the Peter Cockburn FRPSL Collection of Malaya B.M.A. (Sale 22026), lot 382 |
| COV-5578 | Calcutta SR45 | Spink(14 January 2022) | The Opium Wars Collection (Sale 21042), lot 87 |
| COV-5577 | Poona HG 12 | Spink(20 September 2016) | The John Clemente Collection of Tasmania Postal History (Sale 16044), lot 185 |
| COV-5576 | Singapore FP 8 | Spink(1 July 2006) | Stamps of South East Asia featuring the Terence Pickering Collection of Thailand Postal History (Sale 6014), lot 2 |
| COV-5575 | Singapore FP 8 | Spink(13 January 2013) | Fine Stamps and Covers of China and Hong Kong (Sale 13009), lot 2517 |
| COV-5574 | Singapore FP 4 | Spink(30 June – 21 July 2021) | The Philatelic Collectors' Series e-Auction (Sale 21126), lot 1762 |
| COV-5573 | Singapore FP 4 | Spink(15 May 2025) | Stamps and Covers of Asia (Sale 25016), lot 1306 |
| COV-5572 | Singapore FP 4 | Spink(15 May 2025) | Stamps and Covers of Asia (Sale 25016), lot 1306 |
| COV-5571 | Singapore FP 4 | Spink(4 July 2009) | Stamps of South East Asia (Sale 9018), lot 533 |
| COV-5570 | Kedgeree S4 | Spink(23 February 2021) | Stamps and Covers of South East Asia - conducted behind closed doors (Sale 21014), lot 123 |
| COV-5569 | Calcutta G8 | Spink(23 February 2021) | Stamps and Covers of South East Asia - conducted behind closed doors (Sale 21014), lot 121 |
| COV-5568 | Madras HG 15 | Spink(8 September 2018) | Fine Stamps and Covers of South East Asia, Including The Dr. Cheah Jin Seng Collections of Straits Settlements and Kedah, and The Iain Dyce collection of Straits Settlements (Sale 18039), lot 45 |
| COV-5567 | Penang FP 4 | Spink(24 June 2007) | Fine Stamps & Covers of S E Asia (Sale 7019), lot 5 |
| COV-5566 | Calcutta SR7 | Spink(17 June 2026) | Stamps and Covers of Asia (Sale 26014), lot 5541 |
| COV-5565 | Singapore FP 4 | Spink(17 June 2026) | Stamps and Covers of Asia (Sale 26014), lot 5263 |
| COV-5564 | Singapore FP 4 | Spink(2–18 May 2023) | The Philatelic Collector's Series Sale - e-Auction (Sale 23117), lot 3666 |
| COV-5564 | Singapore FP 4 | Spink(4 July 2009) | Auction: 9018 - Stamps of South East Asia, lot 528 |
| COV-5563 | Singapore FP 4 | Spink(14–31 January 2022) | The Philatelic Collector's Series - e-Auction (Sale 22012), lot 2776 |
| COV-5562 | Singapore FP 5 | Spink(14–31 January 2022) | The Philatelic Collector's Series - e-Auction (Sale 22012), lot 2775 |
| COV-5561 | Singapore FP 4 | Spink(14–31 January 2022) | The Philatelic Collector's Series - e-Auction (Sale 22012), lot 2769 |
| COV-5560 | Singapore FP 10 | Spink(26 September 2010) | The "Stolz" Collection of the Postal History of British SE Asia (Sale 1015), lot 1113 |
| COV-5559 | Singapore FP 4 | Spink(26 September 2010) | The "Stolz" Collection of the Postal History of British SE Asia (Sale 1015), lot 1111 |
| COV-5558 | Singapore FP 4 | Spink(26 September 2010) | The "Stolz" Collection of the Postal History of British SE Asia (Sale 1015), lot 1110 |
| COV-5557 | Singapore FP 4 | Spink(26 September 2010) | The "Stolz" Collection of the Postal History of British SE Asia (Sale 1015), lot 1109 |
| COV-5556 | Singapore FP 5 | Spink(26 September 2010) | The "Stolz" Collection of the Postal History of British SE Asia (Sale 1015), lot 1108 |
| COV-5555 | Calcutta SD31 | Spink(24 September 2011) | Fine Stamps & Covers of SE Asia Including the Stolz Part 2 (Sale 11016), lot 6 |
| COV-5554 | Bombay SR3 | Spink(2 August 2019) | India used in the Straits Settlements, The Tan Ah Ee Collection - Part 1 (Sale 19032), lot 33 |
| COV-5553 | Calcutta SR49 | Spink(16 April 2009) | The V T Nathan Collection of Straits Settlements (Sale 9023), lot 42 |
| COV-5552 | Singapore FP 6 | Spink(4 July 2009) | Stamps of South East Asia (Sale 9018), lot 523 |
| COV-5551 | Singapore FP 3 | Spink(4 July 2009) | Stamps of South East Asia (Sale 9018), lot 521 |
| COV-5550 | Singapore FP 4 | Spink(8 September 2018) | Fine Stamps and Covers of South East Asia, Including The Dr. Cheah Jin Seng Collections of Straits Settlements and Kedah, and The Iain Dyce collection of Straits Settlements (Sale 18039), lot 385 |
| COV-5549 | Singapore FP 1 | Spink(6 December 2022) | Stamps and Covers of Asia featuring the Peter Cockburn FRPSL Collection of Malaya B.M.A. (Sale 22026), lot 379 |
| COV-5548 | Singapore FP 4 | Spink(21 September 2013) | Stamps and Covers of South East Asia (Sale 13030), lot 307 |
| COV-5547 | Singapore FP 4 | Spink(21 September 2013) | Stamps and Covers of South East Asia (Sale 13030), lot 306 |
| COV-5546 | Singapore FP 5 | Spink(21 September 2013) | Stamps and Covers of South East Asia (Sale 13030), lot 305 |
| COV-5545 | Singapore FP 5 | Spink(23 February 2021) | Stamps and Covers of South East Asia - conducted behind closed doors (Sale 21014), lot 114 |
| COV-5544 | Singapore FP 10 | Spink(20 September 2014) | Stamps and Covers of South East Asia including the Peter Cockburn Award Winning Collection of Straits Settlements and Malayan States Revenue Stamps (Sale 14026), lot 784 |
| COV-5543 | Singapore FP 10 | Spink(8 September 2018) | Fine Stamps and Covers of South East Asia, Including The Dr. Cheah Jin Seng Collections of Straits Settlements and Kedah, and The Iain Dyce collection of Straits Settlements (Sale 18039), lot 99 |
| COV-5542 | Singapore FP 5 | Spink(8 September 2018) | Fine Stamps and Covers of South East Asia, Including The Dr. Cheah Jin Seng Collections of Straits Settlements and Kedah, and The Iain Dyce collection of Straits Settlements (Sale 18039), lot 53 |
| COV-5541 | Singapore FP 8 | Spink(8 September 2018) | Fine Stamps and Covers of South East Asia, Including The Dr. Cheah Jin Seng Collections of Straits Settlements and Kedah, and The Iain Dyce collection of Straits Settlements (Sale 18039), lot 51 |
| COV-5540 | Singapore FP 5 | Spink(8 September 2018) | Fine Stamps and Covers of South East Asia, Including The Dr. Cheah Jin Seng Collections of Straits Settlements and Kedah, and The Iain Dyce collection of Straits Settlements (Sale 18039), lot 50 |
| COV-5539 | Singapore FP 5 | Spink(8 September 2018) | Fine Stamps and Covers of South East Asia, Including The Dr. Cheah Jin Seng Collections of Straits Settlements and Kedah, and The Iain Dyce collection of Straits Settlements (Sale 18039), lot 49 |
| COV-5539 | Singapore FP 5 | Spink(30 June – 21 July 2021) | Auction: 21126 - The Philatelic Collectors' Series e-Auction, lot 1757 |
| COV-5538 | Singapore FP 1 | Spink(8 September 2018) | Fine Stamps and Covers of South East Asia, Including The Dr. Cheah Jin Seng Collections of Straits Settlements and Kedah, and The Iain Dyce collection of Straits Settlements (Sale 18039), lot 47 |
| COV-5537 | Singapore FP 9 | Spink(16 April 2009) | The V T Nathan Collection of Straits Settlements (Sale 9023), lot 19 |
| COV-5537 | Singapore FP 9 | Spink(17 June 2026) | Auction: 26014 - Stamps and Covers of Asia, lot 5261 |
| COV-5536 | Singapore FP 4 | Spink(24 June 2007) | Fine Stamps & Covers of S E Asia (Sale 7019), lot 17 |
| COV-5535 | Singapore FP 1 | Spink(24 June 2007) | Fine Stamps & Covers of S E Asia (Sale 7019), lot 14 |
| COV-5534 | Singapore FP 1 | Spink(24 June 2007) | Fine Stamps & Covers of S E Asia (Sale 7019), lot 12 |
| COV-5534 | Singapore FP 1 | Spink(16 July 2020) | Auction: 20033 - Stamps and Covers of South East Asia, lot 1036 |
| COV-5533 | Singapore FP 2 | Spink(14 July 2011) | The "Walter Bickly" Collection of Labuan and North Borneo Stamps (Sale 11030), lot 1 |
| COV-5532 | Singapore FP 4 | Spink(17 June 2026) | Stamps and Covers of Asia (Sale 26014), lot 5582 |
| COV-5531 | Singapore FP 4 | Spink(17 June 2026) | Stamps and Covers of Asia (Sale 26014), lot 5582 |
| COV-5530 | Singapore FP 4 | Spink(14–31 January 2022) | The Philatelic Collector's Series - e-Auction (Sale 22012), lot 2768 |
| COV-5529 | Singapore FP 5 | Spink(14–31 January 2022) | The Philatelic Collector's Series - e-Auction (Sale 22012), lot 2765 |
| COV-5528 | Singapore FP 5 | Spink(5 July 2008) | Fine Stamps & Covers of South East Asia (Sale 8013), lot 1033 |
| COV-5528 | Singapore FP 5 | Spink(4 July 2009) | Auction: 9018 - Stamps of South East Asia, lot 528 |
| COV-5527 | Singapore FP 5 | Spink(5 July 2008) | Fine Stamps & Covers of South East Asia (Sale 8013), lot 1032 |
| COV-5526 | Singapore FP 5 | Spink(4 July 2009) | Stamps of South East Asia (Sale 9018), lot 519 |
| COV-5525 | Singapore FP 4 | Spink(4 July 2009) | Stamps of South East Asia (Sale 9018), lot 519 |
| COV-5525 | Singapore FP 4 | Spink(11 November 2013) | Auction: 13043 - The Collector's Series Sale, lot 599 |
| COV-5524 | Singapore FP 5 | Spink(4 July 2009) | Stamps of South East Asia (Sale 9018), lot 517 |
| COV-5523 | Singapore FP 4 | Spink(9 March 2022) | Stamps and Covers of Asia (Sale 22014), lot 515 |
| COV-5522 | Singapore FP 5 | Spink(8 September 2018) | Fine Stamps and Covers of South East Asia, Including The Dr. Cheah Jin Seng Collections of Straits Settlements and Kedah, and The Iain Dyce collection of Straits Settlements (Sale 18039), lot 407 |
| COV-5521 | Singapore FP 4 | Spink(8 September 2018) | Fine Stamps and Covers of South East Asia, Including The Dr. Cheah Jin Seng Collections of Straits Settlements and Kedah, and The Iain Dyce collection of Straits Settlements (Sale 18039), lot 55 |
| COV-5520 | Singapore FP 4 | Spink(8 September 2018) | Fine Stamps and Covers of South East Asia, Including The Dr. Cheah Jin Seng Collections of Straits Settlements and Kedah, and The Iain Dyce collection of Straits Settlements (Sale 18039), lot 54 |
| COV-5519 | Singapore FP 4 | Spink(16 April 2009) | The V T Nathan Collection of Straits Settlements (Sale 9023), lot 22 |
| COV-5518 | Singapore FP 8 | Spink(16 April 2009) | The V T Nathan Collection of Straits Settlements (Sale 9023), lot 20 |
| COV-5517 | Singapore FP 4 | Spink(24 June 2007) | Fine Stamps & Covers of S E Asia (Sale 7019), lot 18 |
| COV-5516 | Singapore FP 5 | Spink(24 June 2007) | Fine Stamps & Covers of S E Asia (Sale 7019), lot 16 |
| COV-5515 | Singapore FP 5 | Spink(14–31 January 2022) | The Philatelic Collector's Series - e-Auction (Sale 22012), lot 2766 |
| COV-5514 | Singapore FP 4 | Spink(4 July 2009) | Stamps of South East Asia (Sale 9018), lot 522 |
| COV-5513 | Singapore FP 4 | Spink(4 July 2009) | Stamps of South East Asia (Sale 9018), lot 522 |
Frequently asked
- Where are Indian pre stamp covers sold at auction?
- Pre-1854 Indian pre stamp covers appear regularly at specialist philatelic auction houses including Argyll Etkin, Spink, Christie's, Stanley Gibbons and Indian houses such as Rajgor's and Oswal. This census traces each recorded cover to the sales it has appeared in, with sale and lot references where known.
- How much do Indian pre stamp covers sell for?
- Prices range from modest sums for common town handstamps to significant amounts for rare marks — early ship letters, scarce receiving-house marks and unique strikes command the strongest results. The prices-realized table on this page records documented results from actual sales, linked to the full census record of each cover.
- How do I trace the auction provenance of an Indian cover?
- Search this census for the cover's post office and Giles figure number. Each recorded cover page lists its known auction appearances (house, sale, lot, year) and prices realized where documented. If you hold a cover whose provenance is not recorded, you can submit the details for editorial review.
- Why does auction provenance matter for pre stamp covers?
- Provenance establishes authenticity and collecting history. A cover traceable through named sales and collections is easier to authenticate, easier to insure, and typically more valuable than an undocumented example. The census preserves this chain publicly, cover by cover.