How scarce is the Arrah HG 3 mark on this cover?

The census grades Arrah HG 3 as 1 example recorded, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1834–1835.

When was COV-1819 posted?

COV-1819 is dated 5 February 1834, within the recorded period of use of Arrah HG 3 (1834–1835).

COV-1819

5 February 1834 Arrah Cover

Back to census|Arrah HG 3

Pre-stamp cover of India — 5 February 1834, Arrah HG 3 handstruck folded letter (COV-1819) — front

Pre-stamp cover of India — Arrah HG 3, scan 2 (COV-1819)

Scan or Photo Courtesy of Spink

Date

5 February 1834

Description

Arrah: 1831 (5 Feb.) entire letter to East India House in London, rated "2/2" and inscribed "Free", the reverse with fine strike of the framed "ARRAH/FREE" datestamp (HG 3) with detaiis inserted in manuscript, Caicutta transit datestamp and faint "INDIA LETTER/pENzarvcE" adjacent; light folds cross the strike but do not detract. Rare. Photo

Auction

Spink

Lot 82

Provenance

Derek Hammond Giles

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-1819 is an Arrah pre stamp cover of 5 February 1834 bearing the Arrah HG 3 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 Spink lot 82.

2 images of COV-1819 are recorded (front); the Arrah HG 3 mark itself is recorded in use 1834–1835.

Questions about COV-1819

What is COV-1819?: COV-1819 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Arrah, Bengal Presidency of 5 February 1834, bearing the Arrah HG 3 handstamp in black. Arrah: 1831 (5 Feb.) entire letter to East India House in London, rated "2/2" and inscribed "Free", the reverse with fine strike of the framed "ARRAH/FREE" datestamp (HG 3) with detaiis inserted in manuscript, Caicutta transit datestamp and faint "INDIA LETTER/pENzarvcE" adjacent; light folds cross the strike but do not detract. Rare. Photo
How scarce is the Arrah HG 3 mark on this cover?: The census grades Arrah HG 3 as 1 example recorded, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1834–1835.
What is the provenance of COV-1819?: Its recorded auction history runs through Spink lot 82.
When was COV-1819 posted?: COV-1819 is dated 5 February 1834, within the recorded period of use of Arrah HG 3 (1834–1835).

About this record

This 5 February 1834 pre stamp cover of British India bears the Arrah HG 3 handstamp of the Bengal Presidency, a mark with 1 example recorded in this census — the only surviving cover with this mark recorded so far. It has appeared at auction with Spink, lot 82.