How scarce is the Serampore HG 1 mark on this cover?

The census grades Serampore HG 1 as very scarce, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1821–1837.

When was COV-115 posted?

COV-115 is dated 8 May 1832, within the recorded period of use of Serampore HG 1 (1821–1837).

COV-115

8 May 1832 Serampore Cover

Back to census|Serampore HG 1 · 13 covers recorded

← COV-66 COV-1389 →

Pre-stamp cover of India — 8 May 1832, Serampore HG 1 handstruck folded letter (COV-115) — front

Pre-stamp cover of India — Serampore HG 1, back (COV-115) — back

Pre-stamp cover of India — Serampore HG 1, front (COV-115) — front

Scan or Photo Courtesy of Siegel Auction Galleries

Date

8 May 1832

Description

INDIA, (Danish Settlement), Serampore, 1832, "SERAMPORE/POST OFFICE/18_" Handstamp (Giles 1). Legible and clear strike of boxed handstamp with manuscript "(18)32" inserted and "The 8th May, Postpaid 2 ans" on back of folded letter addressed to Calcutta, red boxed "AM" and Calcutta arrival backstamp (G9), cover with overall aging, Fine strike, a very rare use of the Serampore handstamp, Serampore remained a Danish settlement until it was sold to the East India Company in 1845

Auction

Spink

The Derek Hammond Giles Collection (Sale 1267), Lot 403, (25 October 2000)

Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries

Sale 1301, Lot 6046

Provenance

"Magnolia" Derek Hammond Giles

Same office

Other recorded marks at Serampore

1 mark

One other pre-1854 postal marking of Serampore is recorded in the census. Compare it against this mark to place your cover.

Serampore HG 2handstampRed1846

View all Serampore marks and postal history →

About this Serampore pre stamp cover

COV-115 is a Serampore pre stamp cover of 8 May 1832 bearing the Serampore HG 1 handstamp, struck in black, recorded in the census of Serampore postal history — the office known today as Shrirampur, Bengal Presidency. What is a pre stamp cover?

Its recorded auction history runs through Spink The Derek Hammond Giles Collection (Sale 1267) lot 403 (25 October 2000); and Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries Sale 1301 lot 6046.

3 images of COV-115 are recorded (front, back); the Serampore HG 1 mark itself is recorded in use 1821–1837.

Questions about COV-115

What is COV-115?: COV-115 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Serampore, Bengal Presidency of 8 May 1832, bearing the Serampore HG 1 handstamp in black. INDIA, (Danish Settlement), Serampore, 1832, "SERAMPORE/POST OFFICE/18_" Handstamp (Giles 1). Legible and clear strike of boxed handstamp with manuscript "(18)32" inserted and "The 8th May, Postpaid 2 ans" on back of folded letter addressed to Calcutta, red boxed "AM" and Calcutta arrival backstamp (G9), cover with overall aging, Fine strike, a very rare use of the Serampore handstamp, Serampore remained a Danish settlement until it was sold to the East India Company in 1845
How scarce is the Serampore HG 1 mark on this cover?: The census grades Serampore HG 1 as very scarce, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1821–1837.
What is the provenance of COV-115?: Its recorded auction history runs through Spink The Derek Hammond Giles Collection (Sale 1267) lot 403 (25 October 2000); and Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries Sale 1301 lot 6046.
When was COV-115 posted?: COV-115 is dated 8 May 1832, within the recorded period of use of Serampore HG 1 (1821–1837).

About this record

This 8 May 1832 pre stamp cover of British India bears the Serampore HG 1 handstamp of the Bengal Presidency, a mark graded “Very scarce” in this census — one of 13 surviving covers with this mark recorded. It has appeared at auction with Spink, The Derek Hammond Giles Collection (Sale 1267), lot 403, (25 October 2000); Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries, Sale 1301, lot 6046.