How scarce is the Patna HG 4 mark on this cover?

The census grades Patna HG 4 as 1 example recorded, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1816.

When was COV-1143 posted?

COV-1143 is dated 1816, within the recorded period of use of Patna HG 4 (1816).

COV-1143

1816 Patna Cover

Back to census|Patna HG 4

Pre-stamp cover of India — 1816, Patna HG 4 handstruck folded letter (COV-1143) — front

Pre-stamp cover of India — Patna HG 4, scan 2 (COV-1143)

Scan or Photo Courtesy of Spink

Date

1816

Description

Patna: 1816 front and part back of entire to Sussex via Calcutta and Portsmouth, showing the only recorded example of the "PATNA P.O./SEA POSTAGE/PAID POST" handstamp (HG 4) and showing various route and rate markings. A remarkable rarity.

Auction

Spink

Lot 174

Provenance

Dr. Soli Contractor

Same office

Other recorded marks at Patna

18 marks

18 other pre-1854 postal markings of Patna are recorded in the census. Compare their figure numbers, dates and colours to identify the mark on your cover.

+12 more at this office.View all Patna marks and postal history →

About this Patna pre stamp cover

COV-1143 is a Patna pre stamp cover of 1816 bearing the Patna HG 4 handstamp, struck in black, recorded in the census of Patna postal history, Bengal Presidency. What is a pre stamp cover?

Its recorded auction history runs through Spink lot 174.

2 images of COV-1143 are recorded (front); the Patna HG 4 mark itself is recorded in use 1816.

Questions about COV-1143

What is COV-1143?: COV-1143 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Patna, Bengal Presidency of 1816, bearing the Patna HG 4 handstamp in black. Patna: 1816 front and part back of entire to Sussex via Calcutta and Portsmouth, showing the only recorded example of the "PATNA P.O./SEA POSTAGE/PAID POST" handstamp (HG 4) and showing various route and rate markings. A remarkable rarity.
How scarce is the Patna HG 4 mark on this cover?: The census grades Patna HG 4 as 1 example recorded, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1816.
What is the provenance of COV-1143?: Its recorded auction history runs through Spink lot 174.
When was COV-1143 posted?: COV-1143 is dated 1816, within the recorded period of use of Patna HG 4 (1816).

About this record

This 1816 pre stamp cover of British India bears the Patna HG 4 handstamp of the Bengal Presidency, a mark with 1 example recorded in this census — the only surviving cover with this mark recorded so far. It has appeared at auction with Spink, lot 174.