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

The census grades Cherapunjee HG 2 as rare, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1845–1855.

COV-26

Cherapunjee Cover

Back to census|Cherapunjee HG 2 · 2 covers recorded

COV-3405 →

Pre-stamp cover of India — Cherapunjee HG 2 handstruck folded letter (COV-26) — front

Pre-stamp cover of India — Cherapunjee HG 2, back (COV-26) — back

Scan or Photo Courtesy of Siegel Auction Galleries

Description

Clear strike in red with manuscript "7th Sept. 47" date and "6 as" rate on back of folded letter to Lyon, France, sender's directive "via Marseille, Direct from Calcutta by the Steamers", red framed INDIA and INDIA PAID handstamps, red Calcutta and Marseilles (Nov. 7) transit and Lyon (Nov. 10) arrival datestamps, various manuscript rate markings. Fine strike of this rare marking, unrecorded by Giles. Chira Punje is in the far northeast of India, known as one of the wettest places on earth.

Auction

Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries

Sale 9054, Lot 10024, — Magnolia Collection Part 7

Provenance

•2026, Siegel Auction Galleries, Sale 9054, Lot 10024, Realized $475— The Magnolia Collection: India Postal History, Part 7 (Robert C. Bauer)

Same office

Other recorded marks at Cherapunjee

1 mark

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

Cherapunjee HG 1handstampRed1847

View all Cherapunjee marks and postal history →

About this Cherapunjee pre stamp cover

COV-26 is a Cherapunjee pre stamp cover bearing the Cherapunjee HG 2 handstamp, struck in red, recorded in the census of Cherapunjee postal history — the office known today as Cherrapunji, Bengal Presidency. What is a pre stamp cover?

Its recorded auction history runs through Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries Sale 9054 lot 10024.

2 images of COV-26 are recorded (front, back); the Cherapunjee HG 2 mark itself is recorded in use 1845–1855.

Questions about COV-26

What is COV-26?: COV-26 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Cherapunjee, Bengal Presidency, bearing the Cherapunjee HG 2 handstamp in red. Clear strike in red with manuscript "7th Sept. 47" date and "6 as" rate on back of folded letter to Lyon, France, sender's directive "via Marseille, Direct from Calcutta by the Steamers", red framed INDIA and INDIA PAID handstamps, red Calcutta and Marseilles (Nov. 7) transit and Lyon (Nov. 10) arrival datestamps, various manuscript rate markings. Fine strike of this rare marking, unrecorded by Giles. Chira Punje is in the far northeast of India, known as one of the wettest places on earth.
How scarce is the Cherapunjee HG 2 mark on this cover?: The census grades Cherapunjee HG 2 as rare, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1845–1855.
What is the provenance of COV-26?: Its recorded auction history runs through Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries Sale 9054 lot 10024.

About this record

This pre-1854 pre stamp cover of British India bears the Cherapunjee HG 2 handstamp of the Bengal Presidency, a mark graded “Rare” in this census — one of 2 surviving covers with this mark recorded. It has appeared at auction with Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries, Sale 9054, lot 10024. Recorded prices realized: $475, Siegel Auction Galleries, (2026).