COV-638 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Goalparah, Bengal Presidency of 1831, bearing the Goalparah HG 1 handstamp in black. "GOWALPARA/POST OFFICE" Oval Intaglio Handstamp (Giles 1). Large part strike.

How scarce is the Goalparah HG 1 mark on this cover?

The census grades Goalparah HG 1 as rare, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1830–1837.

When was COV-638 posted?

COV-638 is dated 1831, within the recorded period of use of Goalparah HG 1 (1830–1837).

COV-638

1831 Goalparah Cover

Back to census|Goalparah HG 1

Pre-stamp cover of India — 1831, Goalparah HG 1 handstruck folded letter (COV-638) — front

Pre-stamp cover of India — Goalparah HG 1, back (COV-638) — back

Scan or Photo Courtesy of Siegel Auction Galleries

Date

1831

Description

"GOWALPARA/POST OFFICE" Oval Intaglio Handstamp (Giles 1). Large part strike.

Auction

Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries

Sale No. 1325, Lot 3014, (2025)

Provenance

•2025, Robert A. Siegel Sale No. 1325, Lot 3014

Same office

Other recorded marks at Goalparah

2 marks

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

View all Goalparah marks and postal history →

About this Goalparah pre stamp cover

COV-638 is a Goalparah pre stamp cover of 1831 bearing the Goalparah HG 1 handstamp, struck in black, recorded in the census of Goalparah postal history — the office known today as Goalpara, Bengal Presidency. What is a pre stamp cover?

"GOWALPARA/POST OFFICE" Oval Intaglio Handstamp (Giles 1). Large part strike.

Its recorded auction history runs through Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries Sale No. 1325 lot 3014 (2025).

2 images of COV-638 are recorded (front, back); the Goalparah HG 1 mark itself is recorded in use 1830–1837.

Questions about COV-638

What is COV-638?: COV-638 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Goalparah, Bengal Presidency of 1831, bearing the Goalparah HG 1 handstamp in black. "GOWALPARA/POST OFFICE" Oval Intaglio Handstamp (Giles 1). Large part strike.
How scarce is the Goalparah HG 1 mark on this cover?: The census grades Goalparah HG 1 as rare, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1830–1837.
What is the provenance of COV-638?: Its recorded auction history runs through Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries Sale No. 1325 lot 3014 (2025).
When was COV-638 posted?: COV-638 is dated 1831, within the recorded period of use of Goalparah HG 1 (1830–1837).

About this record

This 1831 pre stamp cover of British India bears the Goalparah HG 1 handstamp of the Bengal Presidency, a mark graded “Rare” in this census — the only surviving cover with this mark recorded so far. It has appeared at auction with Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries, Sale No. 1325, lot 3014, (2025).