How scarce is the Arrah HG 2 mark on this cover?

The census grades Arrah HG 2 as common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1831–1836.

When was COV-5239 posted?

COV-5239 is dated 1834, within the recorded period of use of Arrah HG 2 (1831–1836).

COV-5239

1834 Arrah Cover

Back to census|Arrah HG 2 · 8 covers recorded

← COV-4067

Pre-stamp cover of India — 1834, Arrah HG 2 handstruck folded letter (COV-5239)

Pre-stamp cover of India — Arrah HG 2, scan 2 (COV-5239)

Scan or Photo Courtesy of Siegel Auction Galleries

Date

1834

Description

India, Arrah, 1834, "ARRAH/Pt Pd/18__" Circular Handstamp (Giles 2). Clear strike with manuscript "P 2as" rate and "5 Sept" date added on back of 1834 folded letter to Patna, Very Fine strike of this scarce marking

Auction

Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries

The Magnolia Collection: India Postal History, Part 8 (Sale 9061, 21 October 2026), Lot 10013, (2026)

Same office

Other recorded marks at Arrah

2 marks

2 other pre-1854 postal markings of Arrah are recorded in the census. Compare their figure numbers, dates and colours to identify the mark on your cover.

View all Arrah marks and postal history →

About this Arrah pre stamp cover

COV-5239 is an Arrah pre stamp cover of 1834 bearing the Arrah HG 2 handstamp, struck in black, recorded in the census of Arrah postal history — the office known today as Ara, Bengal Presidency. What is a pre stamp cover?

Its recorded auction history runs through Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries The Magnolia Collection: India Postal History, Part 8 (Sale 9061, 21 October 2026) lot 10013 (2026).

2 images of COV-5239 are recorded; the Arrah HG 2 mark itself is recorded in use 1831–1836.

Questions about COV-5239

What is COV-5239?: COV-5239 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Arrah, Bengal Presidency of 1834, bearing the Arrah HG 2 handstamp in black. India, Arrah, 1834, "ARRAH/Pt Pd/18__" Circular Handstamp (Giles 2). Clear strike with manuscript "P 2as" rate and "5 Sept" date added on back of 1834 folded letter to Patna, Very Fine strike of this scarce marking
How scarce is the Arrah HG 2 mark on this cover?: The census grades Arrah HG 2 as common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1831–1836.
What is the provenance of COV-5239?: Its recorded auction history runs through Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries The Magnolia Collection: India Postal History, Part 8 (Sale 9061, 21 October 2026) lot 10013 (2026).
When was COV-5239 posted?: COV-5239 is dated 1834, within the recorded period of use of Arrah HG 2 (1831–1836).

About this record

This 1834 pre stamp cover of British India bears the Arrah HG 2 handstamp of the Bengal Presidency, a mark graded “Common” in this census — one of 8 surviving covers with this mark recorded. It has appeared at auction with Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries, The Magnolia Collection: India Postal History, Part 8 (Sale 9061, 21 October 2026), lot 10013, (2026).