COV-3019
15 October 1854 Nepaul Cover
Scan or Photo Courtesy of Siegel Auction Galleries
Date
15 October 1854
Description
Used in Nepal, 1854, ½a Indigo, Die II (2D; SG 7). Huge margins to ample at bottom, bold color, cancelled by diamond of dots cancel on large part of folded cover to Calcutta, bold strike of magenta "Nepaul Paid" boxed handstamp with manuscript date "15 Octr 54" and "½a rate, clear Calcutta arrival backstamp, file fold thru stamp of little significance VERY FINE. THIS IS THE EARLIEST USE OF A POSTAGE STAMP IN NEPAL--DATED ABOUT TWO WEEKS AFTER THE INDIA 1854 LITHOGRAPH STAMPS WERE ISSUED. ESPECIALLY DESIRABLE WITH A LARGE-MARGINED STAMP, CLEAR POSTAL MARKINGS AND SIZED FOR DISPLAY ON AN EXHIBIT PAGE. There are a three elements that make this cover significant. First, this is the earliest use of any stamps in Nepal--the Nepalese post office did not issue its own stamps until 1881. Second, the "Nepaul Paid" marking is rare in its own right, with only six or seven examples thought to exist. Third, the India 1854 Lithograph stamps were officially issued on October 1, 1854 (and probably not sold until the next day)--any use in the first month is very scarce and highly sought after, but this use in October 1854 from Nepal is extraordinary. Ex Desai, Haverbeck, and Dr. Hellrigl. With 2016 B.P.A. certificate. To correct the record, letters could be mailed on Sunday, October 1, 1854, so the first day of issue of the Half and One-Anna 1854 stamps is October 1, not October 2.
Auction
Certificates
Same office
Other recorded marks at Nepaul
3 marks3 other pre-1854 postal markings of Nepaul are recorded in the census. Compare their figure numbers, dates and colours to identify the mark on your cover.
About this Nepaul pre stamp cover
COV-3019 is a Nepaul pre stamp cover of 15 October 1854 bearing the Nepaul HG 2 handstamp, recorded in the census of Nepaul postal history — the office known today as Kathmandu, Bengal Presidency. What is a pre stamp cover?
Used in Nepal, 1854, ½a Indigo, Die II (2D; SG 7). Huge margins to ample at bottom, bold color, cancelled by diamond of dots cancel on large part of folded cover to Calcutta, bold strike of magenta "Nepaul Paid" boxed handstamp with manuscript date "15 Octr 54" and "½a rate, clear Calcutta arrival backstamp, file fold thru stamp of little significance VERY FINE. THIS IS THE EARLIEST USE OF A POSTAGE STAMP IN NEPAL--DATED ABOUT TWO WEEKS AFTER THE INDIA 1854 LITHOGRAPH STAMPS WERE ISSUED. ESPECIALLY DESIRABLE WITH A LARGE-MARGINED STAMP, CLEAR POSTAL MARKINGS AND SIZED FOR DISPLAY ON AN EXHIBIT PAGE. There are a three elements that make this cover significant. First, this is the earliest use of any stamps in Nepal--the Nepalese post office did not issue its own stamps until 1881. Second, the "Nepaul Paid" marking is rare in its own right, with only six or seven examples thought to exist. Third, the India 1854 Lithograph stamps were officially issued on October 1, 1854 (and probably not sold until the next day)--any use in the first month is very scarce and highly sought after, but this use in October 1854 from Nepal is extraordinary. Ex Desai, Haverbeck, and Dr. Hellrigl. With 2016 B.P.A. certificate. To correct the record, letters could be mailed on Sunday, October 1, 1854, so the first day of issue of the Half and One-Anna 1854 stamps is October 1, not October 2.
Its recorded auction history runs through Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries The Magnolia Collection: India Postal History & Stamps Used Abroad, Part 1 lot 231 (05/11/2023); and Corinphila Auctions 205-209 Auction lot 3029.
1 image of COV-3019 is recorded (front); the Nepaul HG 2 mark itself is recorded in use 1844–1855.
Questions about COV-3019
- What is COV-3019?
- COV-3019 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Nepaul, Bengal Presidency of 15 October 1854, bearing the Nepaul HG 2 handstamp. Used in Nepal, 1854, ½a Indigo, Die II (2D; SG 7). Huge margins to ample at bottom, bold color, cancelled by diamond of dots cancel on large part of folded cover to Calcutta, bold strike of magenta "Nepaul Paid" boxed handstamp with manuscript date "15 Octr 54" and "½a rate, clear Calcutta arrival backstamp, file fold thru stamp of little significance VERY FINE. THIS IS THE EARLIEST USE OF A POSTAGE STAMP IN NEPAL--DATED ABOUT TWO WEEKS AFTER THE INDIA 1854 LITHOGRAPH STAMPS WERE ISSUED. ESPECIALLY DESIRABLE WITH A LARGE-MARGINED STAMP, CLEAR POSTAL MARKINGS AND SIZED FOR DISPLAY ON AN EXHIBIT PAGE. There are a three elements that make this cover significant. First, this is the earliest use of any stamps in Nepal--the Nepalese post office did not issue its own stamps until 1881. Second, the "Nepaul Paid" marking is rare in its own right, with only six or seven examples thought to exist. Third, the India 1854 Lithograph stamps were officially issued on October 1, 1854 (and probably not sold until the next day)--any use in the first month is very scarce and highly sought after, but this use in October 1854 from Nepal is extraordinary. Ex Desai, Haverbeck, and Dr. Hellrigl. With 2016 B.P.A. certificate. To correct the record, letters could be mailed on Sunday, October 1, 1854, so the first day of issue of the Half and One-Anna 1854 stamps is October 1, not October 2.
- How scarce is the Nepaul HG 2 mark on this cover?
- The census grades Nepaul HG 2 as very scarce, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1844–1855.
- What is the provenance of COV-3019?
- Its recorded auction history runs through Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries The Magnolia Collection: India Postal History & Stamps Used Abroad, Part 1 lot 231 (05/11/2023); and Corinphila Auctions 205-209 Auction lot 3029.
- When was COV-3019 posted?
- COV-3019 is dated 15 October 1854, within the recorded period of use of Nepaul HG 2 (1844–1855).
About this record
This 15 October 1854 pre stamp cover of British India bears the Nepaul HG 2 handstamp of the Bengal Presidency, a mark graded “Very scarce” in this census — one of 11 surviving covers with this mark recorded. It has appeared at auction with Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries, The Magnolia Collection: India Postal History & Stamps Used Abroad, Part 1, lot 231, (05/11/2023); Corinphila Auctions, 205-209 Auction, lot 3029.