Scan or Photo Courtesy of David Feldman Auctions
Date
1851
Description
1851 Dharwar – Stampless Paid Cover — dated 11 February 1851, bearing a clear rectangular “DHARWAR PAID” (HG3) handstamp with “6” annas postage paid in manuscript. Reverse showing “AM” handstamp together with G.P.O. transit/arrival marking. A fine and attractive example of early pre-adhesive postal usage from Dharwar, predating the introduction of Indian postage stamps.
Auction
2026 Winter Auction Series — India, Indian States, Nepal, Tibet, Lot 40113, (2026)
Same office
Other recorded marks at Dharwar
5 marks5 other pre-1854 postal markings of Dharwar are recorded in the census. Compare their figure numbers, dates and colours to identify the mark on your cover.
About this Dharwar pre stamp cover
COV-5793 is a Dharwar pre stamp cover of 1851 bearing the Dharwar HG 3 handstamp, struck in red, recorded in the census of Dharwar postal history — the office known today as Dharwad, Bombay Presidency. What is a pre stamp cover?
1851 Dharwar – Stampless Paid Cover — dated 11 February 1851, bearing a clear rectangular “DHARWAR PAID” (HG3) handstamp with “6” annas postage paid in manuscript. Reverse showing “AM” handstamp together with G.P.O. transit/arrival marking. A fine and attractive example of early pre-adhesive postal usage from Dharwar, predating the introduction of Indian postage stamps.
Its recorded auction history runs through David Feldman SA 2026 Winter Auction Series — India, Indian States, Nepal, Tibet lot 40113 (2026).
2 images of COV-5793 are recorded; the Dharwar HG 3 mark itself is recorded in use 1841–1855.
Questions about COV-5793
- What is COV-5793?
- COV-5793 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Dharwar, Bombay Presidency of 1851, bearing the Dharwar HG 3 handstamp in red. 1851 Dharwar – Stampless Paid Cover — dated 11 February 1851, bearing a clear rectangular “DHARWAR PAID” (HG3) handstamp with “6” annas postage paid in manuscript. Reverse showing “AM” handstamp together with G.P.O. transit/arrival marking. A fine and attractive example of early pre-adhesive postal usage from Dharwar, predating the introduction of Indian postage stamps.
- How scarce is the Dharwar HG 3 mark on this cover?
- The census grades Dharwar HG 3 as common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1841–1855.
- What is the provenance of COV-5793?
- Its recorded auction history runs through David Feldman SA 2026 Winter Auction Series — India, Indian States, Nepal, Tibet lot 40113 (2026).
- When was COV-5793 posted?
- COV-5793 is dated 1851, within the recorded period of use of Dharwar HG 3 (1841–1855).
About this record
This 1851 pre stamp cover of British India bears the Dharwar HG 3 handstamp of the Bombay Presidency, a mark graded “Common” in this census — one of 4 surviving covers with this mark recorded. It has appeared at auction with David Feldman, 2026 Winter Auction Series — India, Indian States, Nepal, Tibet, lot 40113, (2026).