Scan or Photo Courtesy of Siegel Auction Galleries
Date
1855
Description
Used in Nepal, 1854, 4a Pale Red & Blue, 1st Printing, Head Die I, Frame Die I (6; SG 18). Cut to shape, margins to just touching, used with 1854, 2a Green (5; SG 31), cancelled or tied by diamond of dots on 1855 mourning cover to London, England, initialed "GR" at bottom left by G. Ramsay, his manuscript "Stamped to England" with trailing mark that also ties stamps and directive "via Southampton", magenta "Nepaul Paid" boxed handstamp on back, red "INDIA PAID" handstamp, red manuscript "1/-" rate (also tying 4a stamps), Calcutta transit and London Jul. 21 arrival datestamps VERY FINE AND EXCEPTIONAL MOURNING COVER WITH 4-ANNAS AND 2-ANNAS 1854 ISSUE FROM NEPAL TO ENGLAND. THIS IS THE HIGHEST FRANKED 1854 ISSUE COVER KNOWN FROM NEPAL. The 2a paid the inland rate to Calcutta (up to 1 tola), and the two 4a paid the rate via Southampton (up to ½ oz.). One other cover is known with this 10a rate paid by the India 1854 Issue, but it is part of the Royal Collection, making this the only cover available to collectors. Ex Dr. Hellrigl. With 2016 B.P.A. certificate.
Auction
Provenance
Dr. Hellrigl
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 record
This 1855 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 232, (05/11/2023); Corinphila Auctions, 205-209 Auction, lot 3034.