How scarce is the Dinapore HG 4 mark on this cover?

The census grades Dinapore HG 4 as common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1837–1855.

When was COV-5289 posted?

COV-5289 is dated 4 May 1839, within the recorded period of use of Dinapore HG 4 (1837–1855).

COV-5289

4 May 1839 Dinapore Cover

Back to census|Dinapore HG 4 · 9 covers recorded

← COV-5222

Pre-stamp cover of India — 4 May 1839, Dinapore HG 4 handstruck folded letter (COV-5289)

Pre-stamp cover of India — Dinapore HG 4, scan 2 (COV-5289)

Scan or Photo Courtesy of Siegel Auction Galleries

Date

4 May 1839

Description

India, Dinapore, 1839, "DINAPORE/1839 May 4/Paid" Framed Datestamp (Giles 4). Bold strike in red with "15 as" rate added on back of folded letter to Edinburgh, Scotland, sender's directive "Overland Mail" , red "INDIA" oval handstamp, Edinburgh (Jul. 16) arrival backstamp, greenish framed "1/2" and manuscript "2/6" rate markings, Dinapore strike just barely affected by opening, Very Fine

Auction

Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries

The Magnolia Collection: India Postal History, Part 8 (Sale 9061, 21 October 2026), Lot 10082, (2026)

Same office

Other recorded marks at Dinapore

8 marks

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

+2 more at this office.View all Dinapore marks and postal history →

About this Dinapore pre stamp cover

COV-5289 is a Dinapore pre stamp cover of 4 May 1839 bearing the Dinapore HG 4 handstamp, struck in red, recorded in the census of Dinapore postal history — the office known today as Danapur, 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 10082 (2026).

2 images of COV-5289 are recorded; the Dinapore HG 4 mark itself is recorded in use 1837–1855.

Questions about COV-5289

What is COV-5289?: COV-5289 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Dinapore, Bengal Presidency of 4 May 1839, bearing the Dinapore HG 4 handstamp in red. India, Dinapore, 1839, "DINAPORE/1839 May 4/Paid" Framed Datestamp (Giles 4). Bold strike in red with "15 as" rate added on back of folded letter to Edinburgh, Scotland, sender's directive "Overland Mail" , red "INDIA" oval handstamp, Edinburgh (Jul. 16) arrival backstamp, greenish framed "1/2" and manuscript "2/6" rate markings, Dinapore strike just barely affected by opening, Very Fine
How scarce is the Dinapore HG 4 mark on this cover?: The census grades Dinapore HG 4 as common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1837–1855.
What is the provenance of COV-5289?: 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 10082 (2026).
When was COV-5289 posted?: COV-5289 is dated 4 May 1839, within the recorded period of use of Dinapore HG 4 (1837–1855).

About this record

This 4 May 1839 pre stamp cover of British India bears the Dinapore HG 4 handstamp of the Bengal Presidency, a mark graded “Common” in this census — one of 9 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 10082, (2026).