Scan or Photo Courtesy of Siegel Auction Galleries
Date
1795
Description
Houghly, 1800, "HOUGHLY" Straightline Handstamp (Giles 1 var). Clearly struck on cover with original contents in Armenian datelined Chinsurrah 1800 and addressed to Birbon, cover with horizontal file fold of little concern, Fine and rare strike, the strike resembles Giles 1 but without the outer circle which could be due to a light strike, during the late 18th and early 19th century, Houghly was the object of contention between the British and Dutch, it was occupied by the British from 1795, Dutch from 1814, and then ceded back to the British in 1825, therefore this cover originates during the interim British period, ex "Medina"
Auction
Sale 1286, Lot 23
Provenance
Magnolia Medina
Same office
Other recorded marks at Houghly
3 marks3 other pre-1854 postal markings of Houghly are recorded in the census. Compare their figure numbers, dates and colours to identify the mark on your cover.
About this record
This 1795 pre stamp cover of British India bears the Houghly HG 1 handstamp of the Bengal Presidency, a mark graded “Scarce” in this census — one of 8 surviving covers with this mark recorded. It has appeared at auction with Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries, Sale 1286, lot 23; Spink, Auction: 13021 - The award winning "Medina" collection of India Part I., lot 14.