How scarce is the Bombay HG 19 mark on this cover?

The census grades Bombay HG 19 as common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1837–1840.

When was COV-3663 posted?

COV-3663 is dated 1838, within the recorded period of use of Bombay HG 19 (1837–1840).

COV-3663

1838 Bombay Cover

Back to census|Bombay HG 19 · 10 covers recorded

← COV-3632 COV-4731 →

Pre-stamp cover of India — 1838, Bombay HG 19 handstruck folded letter (COV-3663)

Pre-stamp cover of India — Bombay HG 19, scan 2 (COV-3663)

Scan or Photo Courtesy of Sephils

Date

1838

Description

United Kingdom 1838 cover from London to Calcutta featuring a Bombay bearing cachet, sent via overland mail. Includes postal markings and detailed letter discussing market conditions.

Auction

Sephils

542, Lot 0081, (2026)

Same office

Other recorded marks at Bombay

111 marks

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

+105 more at this office.View all Bombay marks and postal history →

About this Bombay pre stamp cover

COV-3663 is a Bombay pre stamp cover of 1838 bearing the Bombay HG 19 handstamp, struck in red, recorded in the census of Bombay postal history — the office known today as Mumbai, Bombay Presidency. What is a pre stamp cover?

United Kingdom 1838 cover from London to Calcutta featuring a Bombay bearing cachet, sent via overland mail. Includes postal markings and detailed letter discussing market conditions.

Its recorded auction history runs through Sephils 542 lot 0081 (2026).

2 images of COV-3663 are recorded; the Bombay HG 19 mark itself is recorded in use 1837–1840.

Questions about COV-3663

What is COV-3663?: COV-3663 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Bombay, Bombay Presidency of 1838, bearing the Bombay HG 19 handstamp in red. United Kingdom 1838 cover from London to Calcutta featuring a Bombay bearing cachet, sent via overland mail. Includes postal markings and detailed letter discussing market conditions.
How scarce is the Bombay HG 19 mark on this cover?: The census grades Bombay HG 19 as common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1837–1840.
What is the provenance of COV-3663?: Its recorded auction history runs through Sephils 542 lot 0081 (2026).
When was COV-3663 posted?: COV-3663 is dated 1838, within the recorded period of use of Bombay HG 19 (1837–1840).

About this record

This 1838 pre stamp cover of British India bears the Bombay HG 19 handstamp of the Bombay Presidency, a mark graded “Common” in this census — one of 10 surviving covers with this mark recorded. It has appeared at auction with Sephils, 542, lot 0081, (2026).