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

The census grades Bugwah HG 2 as common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1850–1856.

When was COV-5261 posted?

COV-5261 is dated 17 February 1854, within the recorded period of use of Bugwah HG 2 (1850–1856).

COV-5261

17 February 1854 Bugwah Cover

Back to census|Bugwah HG 2 · 3 covers recorded

← COV-1223

Pre-stamp cover of India — 17 February 1854, Bugwah HG 2 handstruck folded letter (COV-5261)

Pre-stamp cover of India — Bugwah HG 2, scan 2 (COV-5261)

Scan or Photo Courtesy of Siegel Auction Galleries

Date

17 February 1854

Description

India, Bugwah, 1854, "BUGWAH/Bearing" Framed Handstamp (Giles 2). Bold and clear strike with manuscript "17th Feby /54" date and "2 as" rate added on back of folded native cover, manuscript (translated) "from Berhampur to Sripur" , Very Fine strike of this scarce postal marking

Auction

Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries

The Magnolia Collection: India Postal History, Part 8 (Sale 9061, 21 October 2026), Lot 10045, (2026)

Same office

Other recorded marks at Bugwah

1 mark

One other pre-1854 postal marking of Bugwah is recorded in the census. Compare it against this mark to place your cover.

Bugwah HG 1handstampRed1850-54

View all Bugwah marks and postal history →

About this Bugwah pre stamp cover

COV-5261 is a Bugwah pre stamp cover of 17 February 1854 bearing the Bugwah HG 2 handstamp, struck in black, recorded in the census of Bugwah postal history, 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 10045 (2026).

2 images of COV-5261 are recorded; the Bugwah HG 2 mark itself is recorded in use 1850–1856.

Questions about COV-5261

What is COV-5261?: COV-5261 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Bugwah, Bengal Presidency of 17 February 1854, bearing the Bugwah HG 2 handstamp in black. India, Bugwah, 1854, "BUGWAH/Bearing" Framed Handstamp (Giles 2). Bold and clear strike with manuscript "17th Feby /54" date and "2 as" rate added on back of folded native cover, manuscript (translated) "from Berhampur to Sripur" , Very Fine strike of this scarce postal marking
How scarce is the Bugwah HG 2 mark on this cover?: The census grades Bugwah HG 2 as common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1850–1856.
What is the provenance of COV-5261?: 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 10045 (2026).
When was COV-5261 posted?: COV-5261 is dated 17 February 1854, within the recorded period of use of Bugwah HG 2 (1850–1856).

About this record

This 17 February 1854 pre stamp cover of British India bears the Bugwah HG 2 handstamp of the Bengal Presidency, a mark graded “Common” in this census — one of 3 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 10045, (2026).