COV-2320
19 April 1842 Saugor Cover
Scan or Photo Courtesy of Cavendish Philatelic Auctions Ltd
Date
19 April 1842
Description
1st AFGHAN WAR - UNREST IN SAUGOR & NEWS OF POLLOCK, THE KHYBER PASS, GHUZNEE, ETC.; 19 Apr. 1842 cross-written EL (full typed transcript - see scan online - with minor wear to folds) from a British Officer (R.O.? Herbert) in "Saugor" to his brother in Wales. There is a fine red boxed "SAUGOR/Paid" d.s. (frame just crossed by small closed seal tear) on the reverse beside the London 10 June arrival cds; it is endorsed "Per Steamer via Falmouth", was charged "1/-" Packet rate and has a fine red oval Bombay "INDIA" on the front. The long and fascinating letter gives an eye-witness account of the ongoing unrest in central India incl. "About 3,000 Bhoondeleks from the Shahghur Territory, our own District and from the Bundlecund States (Chirgong, the place attacked last year, in particular) having established themselves in the Hills between the Shahghur State and our Saugor District, made a descent the other day (on the 9th) upon two very large towns not far from here and subject to us. One of these, Khunlassa, was sacked by them for about half an hour; and at the other 12 Burkundayes, their Jerundur and two Shwars of Offuras Horse were killed. There were only 9 of the Irregulars at the place and one only out of the whole remaining untouched, two having been killed and 6 wounded, their horses and accoutrements fell into the hands of the Insurgents... I galloped off, and after putting myself at the head of the Police and succeeded in arresting 7 of the persons who were engaged in creating the disturbance, the remaining portion of them, perhaps 25 in number having taken to their heels on my approach ". He then adds news of the Afghan War; "Pollock had determined to proceed to Sale's assistance on the 1st of this month [April 1842], and it was announced in yesterday's Agra Ukhbar that he moved on the 31st of last month up to the mouth of the Khyber Pass with the intention of entering it the next day...The papers will have informed you of the Fall of Ghuznee, Palmer having surrendered [?] it up in consequence of a scarcity of water. The licking the Insurgents got from the Garrison at Candahar will also have reached you from the same source...". An important insight into the unrest in other parts of India while the British forces were focussed on Afghanistan. Cross Reference: AFGHANISTAN, INDIA, WELSH POSTAL HISTORY
Auction
Worldwide & Great Britain Stamps & Postal History, Lot 153, (2nd Mar 2022)
Same office
Other recorded marks at Saugor
4 marks4 other pre-1854 postal markings of Saugor are recorded in the census. Compare their figure numbers, dates and colours to identify the mark on your cover.
About this Saugor pre stamp cover
COV-2320 is a Saugor pre stamp cover of 19 April 1842 bearing the Saugor HG 2 handstamp, struck in red, recorded in the census of Saugor postal history — the office known today as Sagar, Bombay Presidency. What is a pre stamp cover?
1st AFGHAN WAR - UNREST IN SAUGOR & NEWS OF POLLOCK, THE KHYBER PASS, GHUZNEE, ETC.; 19 Apr. 1842 cross-written EL (full typed transcript - see scan online - with minor wear to folds) from a British Officer (R.O.? Herbert) in "Saugor" to his brother in Wales. There is a fine red boxed "SAUGOR/Paid" d.s. (frame just crossed by small closed seal tear) on the reverse beside the London 10 June arrival cds; it is endorsed "Per Steamer via Falmouth", was charged "1/-" Packet rate and has a fine red oval Bombay "INDIA" on the front. The long and fascinating letter gives an eye-witness account of the ongoing unrest in central India incl. "About 3,000 Bhoondeleks from the Shahghur Territory, our own District and from the Bundlecund States (Chirgong, the place attacked last year, in particular) having established themselves in the Hills between the Shahghur State and our Saugor District, made a descent the other day (on the 9th) upon two very large towns not far from here and subject to us. One of these, Khunlassa, was sacked by them for about half an hour; and at the other 12 Burkundayes, their Jerundur and two Shwars of Offuras Horse were killed. There were only 9 of the Irregulars at the place and one only out of the whole remaining untouched, two having been killed and 6 wounded, their horses and accoutrements fell into the hands of the Insurgents... I galloped off, and after putting myself at the head of the Police and succeeded in arresting 7 of the persons who were engaged in creating the disturbance, the remaining portion of them, perhaps 25 in number having taken to their heels on my approach ". He then adds news of the Afghan War; "Pollock had determined to proceed to Sale's assistance on the 1st of this month [April 1842], and it was announced in yesterday's Agra Ukhbar that he moved on the 31st of last month up to the mouth of the Khyber Pass with the intention of entering it the next day...The papers will have informed you of the Fall of Ghuznee, Palmer having surrendered [?] it up in consequence of a scarcity of water. The licking the Insurgents got from the Garrison at Candahar will also have reached you from the same source...". An important insight into the unrest in other parts of India while the British forces were focussed on Afghanistan. Cross Reference: AFGHANISTAN, INDIA, WELSH POSTAL HISTORY
Its recorded auction history runs through Cavendish Philatelic Auctions Ltd Worldwide & Great Britain Stamps & Postal History lot 153 (2nd Mar 2022).
2 images of COV-2320 are recorded (front, back); the Saugor HG 2 mark itself is recorded in use 1837–1851.
Questions about COV-2320
- What is COV-2320?
- COV-2320 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Saugor, Bombay Presidency of 19 April 1842, bearing the Saugor HG 2 handstamp in red. 1st AFGHAN WAR - UNREST IN SAUGOR & NEWS OF POLLOCK, THE KHYBER PASS, GHUZNEE, ETC.; 19 Apr. 1842 cross-written EL (full typed transcript - see scan online - with minor wear to folds) from a British Officer (R.O.? Herbert) in "Saugor" to his brother in Wales. There is a fine red boxed "SAUGOR/Paid" d.s. (frame just crossed by small closed seal tear) on the reverse beside the London 10 June arrival cds; it is endorsed "Per Steamer via Falmouth", was charged "1/-" Packet rate and has a fine red oval Bombay "INDIA" on the front. The long and fascinating letter gives an eye-witness account of the ongoing unrest in central India incl. "About 3,000 Bhoondeleks from the Shahghur Territory, our own District and from the Bundlecund States (Chirgong, the place attacked last year, in particular) having established themselves in the Hills between the Shahghur State and our Saugor District, made a descent the other day (on the 9th) upon two very large towns not far from here and subject to us. One of these, Khunlassa, was sacked by them for about half an hour; and at the other 12 Burkundayes, their Jerundur and two Shwars of Offuras Horse were killed. There were only 9 of the Irregulars at the place and one only out of the whole remaining untouched, two having been killed and 6 wounded, their horses and accoutrements fell into the hands of the Insurgents... I galloped off, and after putting myself at the head of the Police and succeeded in arresting 7 of the persons who were engaged in creating the disturbance, the remaining portion of them, perhaps 25 in number having taken to their heels on my approach ". He then adds news of the Afghan War; "Pollock had determined to proceed to Sale's assistance on the 1st of this month [April 1842], and it was announced in yesterday's Agra Ukhbar that he moved on the 31st of last month up to the mouth of the Khyber Pass with the intention of entering it the next day...The papers will have informed you of the Fall of Ghuznee, Palmer having surrendered [?] it up in consequence of a scarcity of water. The licking the Insurgents got from the Garrison at Candahar will also have reached you from the same source...". An important insight into the unrest in other parts of India while the British forces were focussed on Afghanistan. Cross Reference: AFGHANISTAN, INDIA, WELSH POSTAL HISTORY
- How scarce is the Saugor HG 2 mark on this cover?
- The census grades Saugor HG 2 as common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1837–1851.
- What is the provenance of COV-2320?
- Its recorded auction history runs through Cavendish Philatelic Auctions Ltd Worldwide & Great Britain Stamps & Postal History lot 153 (2nd Mar 2022).
- When was COV-2320 posted?
- COV-2320 is dated 19 April 1842, within the recorded period of use of Saugor HG 2 (1837–1851).
About this record
This 19 April 1842 pre stamp cover of British India bears the Saugor HG 2 handstamp of the Bombay Presidency, a mark graded “Common” in this census — one of 11 surviving covers with this mark recorded. It has appeared at auction with Cavendish Philatelic Auctions Ltd, Worldwide & Great Britain Stamps & Postal History, lot 153, (2nd Mar 2022).