COV-640 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Houghly, Bengal Presidency of 1839, bearing the Houghly HG 2 handstamp in red. "HOOGHLY/18__/Paid" Framed Handstamp (Giles 2). Faint but clear strike in red.

How scarce is the Houghly HG 2 mark on this cover?

The census grades Houghly HG 2 as common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1838–1855.

When was COV-640 posted?

COV-640 is dated 1839, within the recorded period of use of Houghly HG 2 (1838–1855).

COV-640

1839 Houghly Cover

Back to census|Houghly HG 2 · 8 covers recorded

← COV-246 COV-2222 →

Pre-stamp cover of India — 1839, Houghly HG 2 handstruck folded letter (COV-640) — front

Pre-stamp cover of India — Houghly HG 2, back (COV-640) — back

Scan or Photo Courtesy of Siegel Auction Galleries

Date

1839

Description

"HOOGHLY/18__/Paid" Framed Handstamp (Giles 2). Faint but clear strike in red.

Auction

Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries

Sale No. 1325, Lot 3016, (2025)

Provenance

•2025, Robert A. Siegel Sale No. 1325, Lot 3016

Same office

Other recorded marks at Houghly

3 marks

3 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.

View all Houghly marks and postal history →

About this Houghly pre stamp cover

COV-640 is a Houghly pre stamp cover of 1839 bearing the Houghly HG 2 handstamp, struck in red, recorded in the census of Houghly postal history, Bengal Presidency. What is a pre stamp cover?

"HOOGHLY/18__/Paid" Framed Handstamp (Giles 2). Faint but clear strike in red.

Its recorded auction history runs through Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries Sale No. 1325 lot 3016 (2025).

2 images of COV-640 are recorded (front, back); the Houghly HG 2 mark itself is recorded in use 1838–1855.

Questions about COV-640

What is COV-640?: COV-640 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Houghly, Bengal Presidency of 1839, bearing the Houghly HG 2 handstamp in red. "HOOGHLY/18__/Paid" Framed Handstamp (Giles 2). Faint but clear strike in red.
How scarce is the Houghly HG 2 mark on this cover?: The census grades Houghly HG 2 as common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1838–1855.
What is the provenance of COV-640?: Its recorded auction history runs through Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries Sale No. 1325 lot 3016 (2025).
When was COV-640 posted?: COV-640 is dated 1839, within the recorded period of use of Houghly HG 2 (1838–1855).

About this record

This 1839 pre stamp cover of British India bears the Houghly HG 2 handstamp of the Bengal Presidency, a mark graded “Common” in this census — one of 8 surviving covers with this mark recorded. It has appeared at auction with Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries, Sale No. 1325, lot 3016, (2025).