Scan or Photo Courtesy of Siegel Auction Galleries
Date
12 December 1856
Description
India, 1854, 4a Red & Deep Blue, 4th Printing, Head Die III, Frame Die II (6Fa; SG 22). Three cut to shape singles, margins to touching, tied by barred "119" cancels on bluish 1856 folded letter to Hartrow, England, sender's directive "via Marseilles", well-struck red framed "RAJKOTE/1856 DEC 12/Paid" despatch datestamp (Giles 2 variety) on back, red framed "INDIA PAID" handstamp, red Bombay (. 16) and London (Jan. 16, 1857) transit, the latter also ties one 4a stamp, and blue Taunton (Jan. 17) arrival datestamps, red manuscript "1/3" rate marking, cover missing small piece of back panel and some minor edgewear, Very Fine, the 12a paid the up to ½oz rate via Marseilles
Auction
Sale 1360 - The Magnolia Collection: India Stamps and Postal History, Part 5, Lot 158, (2025)
Same office
Other recorded marks at Rajkote
5 marks5 other pre-1854 postal markings of Rajkote are recorded in the census. Compare their figure numbers, dates and colours to identify the mark on your cover.
About this record
This 12 December 1856 pre stamp cover of British India bears the Rajkote HG 6 handstamp of the Bombay Presidency, a mark graded “Rare” in this census — the only surviving cover with this mark recorded so far. It has appeared at auction with Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries, Sale 1360 - The Magnolia Collection: India Stamps and Postal History, Part 5, lot 158, (2025).