How scarce is the Gowahaty HG 3 mark on this cover?

The census grades Gowahaty HG 3 as scarce, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1839–1854.

When was COV-2322 posted?

COV-2322 is dated 14 November 1840, within the recorded period of use of Gowahaty HG 3 (1839–1854).

COV-2322

14 November 1840 Gowahaty Cover

Back to census|Gowahaty HG 3 · 7 covers recorded

← COV-2153

Pre-stamp cover of India — 14 November 1840, Gowahaty HG 3 handstruck folded letter (COV-2322) — front

Scan or Photo Courtesy of Cavendish Philatelic Auctions Ltd

Date

14 November 1840

Description

SCARCE EXPRESS LETTER CARE OF AN AGENT; 14 Nov. 1840 EL (datelined a week earlier 'on a brach of the Brahmaputra [river]....') to England care of a forwarding agent in Calcutta, endorsed 'p Overland mail/Express' at top with an oval "FORWARDED BY/CANTOR & Co" /CALCUTTA" and framed "INDIA" h.s. in red on front. Rear with framed "GOWHATTI/[DATE]Paid" d.s., Calcutta Steam. Contents (partially transcribed) by Captain F.Jenkins 47th Bengal Native Infantry ".....I am company with one of my junior assts......navigating up....that branch of the Brahmaputra.....passing....Nowgong....." Early & unusual example of express mail. Cross Reference: EXPRESS MAIL, FORWARDING AGENTS, INCOMING OVERSEAS MAIL, REDIRECTED MAIL

Auction

Cavendish Philatelic Auctions Ltd

Worldwide & Great Britain Stamps & Postal History, Lot 754, (2nd Mar 2022)

Same office

Other recorded marks at Gowahaty

5 marks

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

View all Gowahaty marks and postal history →

About this Gowahaty pre stamp cover

COV-2322 is a Gowahaty pre stamp cover of 14 November 1840 bearing the Gowahaty HG 3 handstamp, struck in red, recorded in the census of Gowahaty postal history — the office known today as Guwahati, Bengal Presidency. What is a pre stamp cover?

Its recorded auction history runs through Cavendish Philatelic Auctions Ltd Worldwide & Great Britain Stamps & Postal History lot 754 (2nd Mar 2022).

1 image of COV-2322 is recorded (front); the Gowahaty HG 3 mark itself is recorded in use 1839–1854.

Questions about COV-2322

What is COV-2322?: COV-2322 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Gowahaty, Bengal Presidency of 14 November 1840, bearing the Gowahaty HG 3 handstamp in red. SCARCE EXPRESS LETTER CARE OF AN AGENT; 14 Nov. 1840 EL (datelined a week earlier 'on a brach of the Brahmaputra [river]....') to England care of a forwarding agent in Calcutta, endorsed 'p Overland mail/Express' at top with an oval "FORWARDED BY/CANTOR & Co" /CALCUTTA" and framed "INDIA" h.s. in red on front. Rear with framed "GOWHATTI/[DATE]Paid" d.s., Calcutta Steam. Contents (partially transcribed) by Captain F.Jenkins 47th Bengal Native Infantry ".....I am company with one of my junior assts......navigating up....that branch of the Brahmaputra.....passing....Nowgong....." Early & unusual example of express mail. Cross Reference: EXPRESS MAIL, FORWARDING AGENTS, INCOMING OVERSEAS MAIL, REDIRECTED MAIL
How scarce is the Gowahaty HG 3 mark on this cover?: The census grades Gowahaty HG 3 as scarce, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1839–1854.
What is the provenance of COV-2322?: Its recorded auction history runs through Cavendish Philatelic Auctions Ltd Worldwide & Great Britain Stamps & Postal History lot 754 (2nd Mar 2022).
When was COV-2322 posted?: COV-2322 is dated 14 November 1840, within the recorded period of use of Gowahaty HG 3 (1839–1854).

About this record

This 14 November 1840 pre stamp cover of British India bears the Gowahaty HG 3 handstamp of the Bengal Presidency, a mark graded “Scarce” in this census — one of 7 surviving covers with this mark recorded. It has appeared at auction with Cavendish Philatelic Auctions Ltd, Worldwide & Great Britain Stamps & Postal History, lot 754, (2nd Mar 2022).