How scarce is the Mahableshwar HG 2B mark on this cover?

The census grades Mahableshwar HG 2B as common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1849–1855.

When was COV-2372 posted?

COV-2372 is dated 30 October 1854, within the recorded period of use of Mahableshwar HG 2B (1849–1855).

COV-2372

30 October 1854 Mahableshwar Cover

Back to census|Mahableshwar HG 2B · 3 covers recorded

COV-4828 →

Pre-stamp cover of India — 30 October 1854, Mahableshwar HG 2B handstruck folded letter (COV-2372) — front

Scan or Photo Courtesy of Cavendish Philatelic Auctions Ltd

Date

30 October 1854

Description

IMPERFORATE ISSUES ON INTERNAL COVERS - FIRST MONTH OFFICIAL USAGE COVER WITH ½a BLUE EX "MAHABLESHWUR" TO BOMBAY; 30 Oct. 1854 EL (slight creasing; contents ref. a 'fallen' lady teacher) franked by 4m 1854 ½a blue (Die I; A stone, pos.23, very minor gum-stains) tied (clearly through the stamp) by a light dotted diamond cancel with fine black Bombay "G.P.O/2 A.M" cds (1 Nov.) beside a very fine red boxed "MAHABLESHWUR/Paid" ds (this "...WUR" spelling not recorded by Hammond Giles) on the front with clear ms "1854 OCT 30" date in the centre. Fine early usage.

Auction

Cavendish Philatelic Auctions Ltd

Robert Ricketts India, Lot 3, (July 15, 2026)

Provenance

Robert Ricketts

Same office

Other recorded marks at Mahableshwar

7 marks

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

+1 more at this office.View all Mahableshwar marks and postal history →

About this Mahableshwar pre stamp cover

COV-2372 is a Mahableshwar pre stamp cover of 30 October 1854 bearing the Mahableshwar HG 2B handstamp, struck in red, recorded in the census of Mahableshwar postal history — the office known today as Mahabaleshwar, Bombay Presidency. What is a pre stamp cover?

Its recorded auction history runs through Cavendish Philatelic Auctions Ltd Robert Ricketts India lot 3 (July 15, 2026).

1 image of COV-2372 is recorded (front); the Mahableshwar HG 2B mark itself is recorded in use 1849–1855.

Questions about COV-2372

What is COV-2372?: COV-2372 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Mahableshwar, Bombay Presidency of 30 October 1854, bearing the Mahableshwar HG 2B handstamp in red. IMPERFORATE ISSUES ON INTERNAL COVERS - FIRST MONTH OFFICIAL USAGE COVER WITH ½a BLUE EX "MAHABLESHWUR" TO BOMBAY; 30 Oct. 1854 EL (slight creasing; contents ref. a 'fallen' lady teacher) franked by 4m 1854 ½a blue (Die I; A stone, pos.23, very minor gum-stains) tied (clearly through the stamp) by a light dotted diamond cancel with fine black Bombay "G.P.O/2 A.M" cds (1 Nov.) beside a very fine red boxed "MAHABLESHWUR/Paid" ds (this "...WUR" spelling not recorded by Hammond Giles) on the front with clear ms "1854 OCT 30" date in the centre. Fine early usage.
How scarce is the Mahableshwar HG 2B mark on this cover?: The census grades Mahableshwar HG 2B as common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1849–1855.
What is the provenance of COV-2372?: Its recorded auction history runs through Cavendish Philatelic Auctions Ltd Robert Ricketts India lot 3 (July 15, 2026).
When was COV-2372 posted?: COV-2372 is dated 30 October 1854, within the recorded period of use of Mahableshwar HG 2B (1849–1855).

About this record

This 30 October 1854 pre stamp cover of British India bears the Mahableshwar HG 2B handstamp of the Bombay Presidency, a mark graded “Common” in this census — one of 3 surviving covers with this mark recorded. It has appeared at auction with Cavendish Philatelic Auctions Ltd, Robert Ricketts India, lot 3, (July 15, 2026).