COV-5354
26 September 1821 Midnapore Cover
Scan or Photo Courtesy of Siegel Auction Galleries
Date
26 September 1821
Description
India, Cuttack, 1821, "Cuttack/ POST PAID/18__" Dotted Oval Handstamp (Giles 1). Bold strike with manuscript "26 Septr (18) 21" date and "7 as" rate added on back of partial folded cover (missing most flaps) addressed to Ryepoor, clear strike of "MIDNAPORE/POST OFFICE" oval handstamp (Giles 2) with manuscript "1821 Post paid 3 October" applied in transit, cover with heavily toned edge at top, Very Fine strike of this exceptionally rare postal marking, Giles notes "2 examples recorded" though we are aware of at least one other, this as the earliest of the three currently recorded
Auction
The Magnolia Collection: India Postal History, Part 8 (Sale 9061, 21 October 2026), Lot 10077, (2026)
Same office
Other recorded marks at Midnapore
3 marks3 other pre-1854 postal markings of Midnapore are recorded in the census. Compare their figure numbers, dates and colours to identify the mark on your cover.
About this Midnapore pre stamp cover
COV-5354 is a Midnapore pre stamp cover of 26 September 1821 bearing the Midnapore HG 2 handstamp, struck in black, recorded in the census of Midnapore postal history — the office known today as Medinipur, Bengal Presidency. What is a pre stamp cover?
India, Cuttack, 1821, "Cuttack/ POST PAID/18__" Dotted Oval Handstamp (Giles 1). Bold strike with manuscript "26 Septr (18) 21" date and "7 as" rate added on back of partial folded cover (missing most flaps) addressed to Ryepoor, clear strike of "MIDNAPORE/POST OFFICE" oval handstamp (Giles 2) with manuscript "1821 Post paid 3 October" applied in transit, cover with heavily toned edge at top, Very Fine strike of this exceptionally rare postal marking, Giles notes "2 examples recorded" though we are aware of at least one other, this as the earliest of the three currently recorded
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 10077 (2026).
2 images of COV-5354 are recorded; the Midnapore HG 2 mark itself is recorded in use 1813–1828.
Questions about COV-5354
- What is COV-5354?
- COV-5354 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Midnapore, Bengal Presidency of 26 September 1821, bearing the Midnapore HG 2 handstamp in black. India, Cuttack, 1821, "Cuttack/ POST PAID/18__" Dotted Oval Handstamp (Giles 1). Bold strike with manuscript "26 Septr (18) 21" date and "7 as" rate added on back of partial folded cover (missing most flaps) addressed to Ryepoor, clear strike of "MIDNAPORE/POST OFFICE" oval handstamp (Giles 2) with manuscript "1821 Post paid 3 October" applied in transit, cover with heavily toned edge at top, Very Fine strike of this exceptionally rare postal marking, Giles notes "2 examples recorded" though we are aware of at least one other, this as the earliest of the three currently recorded
- How scarce is the Midnapore HG 2 mark on this cover?
- The census grades Midnapore HG 2 as scarce, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1813–1828.
- What is the provenance of COV-5354?
- 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 10077 (2026).
- When was COV-5354 posted?
- COV-5354 is dated 26 September 1821, within the recorded period of use of Midnapore HG 2 (1813–1828).
About this record
This 26 September 1821 pre stamp cover of British India bears the Midnapore HG 2 handstamp of the Bengal Presidency, a mark graded “Scarce” in this census — one of 6 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 10077, (2026).