Scan or Photo Courtesy of Siegel Auction Galleries
Date
24 March 1804
Description
Chittagong, 1804, "CHITTAGONG" and "post paid" Handstamps (Giles 1). Clear strikes on folded letter datelined Chittagong Mar. 24, 1804 "Chittagong" on top flap ("G" partially removed from opening) and corresponding "post paid" on address side, addressed to Chandannagar, part of Hooghly in the French Settlement, manuscript "Passed 24th March 1804" and initial censor mark as required for mail between British and French India, cover with toning, otherwise Fine markings, noted in Giles as rare with few recorded, especially desirable between the British and French areas
Auction
Sale 1286, Lot 20
Same office
Other recorded marks at Chittagong
3 marks3 other pre-1854 postal markings of Chittagong are recorded in the census. Compare their figure numbers, dates and colours to identify the mark on your cover.
About this Chittagong pre stamp cover
COV-47 is a Chittagong pre stamp cover of 24 March 1804 bearing the Chittagong HG 1 handstamp, struck in black, recorded in the census of Chittagong postal history — the office known today as Chattogram, Bengal Presidency. What is a pre stamp cover?
Chittagong, 1804, "CHITTAGONG" and "post paid" Handstamps (Giles 1). Clear strikes on folded letter datelined Chittagong Mar. 24, 1804 "Chittagong" on top flap ("G" partially removed from opening) and corresponding "post paid" on address side, addressed to Chandannagar, part of Hooghly in the French Settlement, manuscript "Passed 24th March 1804" and initial censor mark as required for mail between British and French India, cover with toning, otherwise Fine markings, noted in Giles as rare with few recorded, especially desirable between the British and French areas
Its recorded auction history runs through Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries Sale 1286 lot 20.
1 image of COV-47 is recorded (front); the Chittagong HG 1 mark itself is recorded in use 1788–1825.
Questions about COV-47
- What is COV-47?
- COV-47 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Chittagong, Bengal Presidency of 24 March 1804, bearing the Chittagong HG 1 handstamp in black. Chittagong, 1804, "CHITTAGONG" and "post paid" Handstamps (Giles 1). Clear strikes on folded letter datelined Chittagong Mar. 24, 1804 "Chittagong" on top flap ("G" partially removed from opening) and corresponding "post paid" on address side, addressed to Chandannagar, part of Hooghly in the French Settlement, manuscript "Passed 24th March 1804" and initial censor mark as required for mail between British and French India, cover with toning, otherwise Fine markings, noted in Giles as rare with few recorded, especially desirable between the British and French areas
- How scarce is the Chittagong HG 1 mark on this cover?
- The census grades Chittagong HG 1 as rare, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1788–1825.
- What is the provenance of COV-47?
- Its recorded auction history runs through Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries Sale 1286 lot 20.
- When was COV-47 posted?
- COV-47 is dated 24 March 1804, within the recorded period of use of Chittagong HG 1 (1788–1825).
About this record
This 24 March 1804 pre stamp cover of British India bears the Chittagong HG 1 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 1286, lot 20.