COV-3787 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Surat, Bombay Presidency of 14 October 1851, bearing the Surat HG 3 handstamp in red. India 1851 prestamp cover from Surat via Southampton to Surrey, England w/ red tombstone "PAID" h/s

How scarce is the Surat HG 3 mark on this cover?

The census grades Surat HG 3 as common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1838–1857.

When was COV-3787 posted?

COV-3787 is dated 14 October 1851, within the recorded period of use of Surat HG 3 (1838–1857).

COV-3787

14 October 1851 Surat Cover

Back to census|Surat HG 3 · 11 covers recorded

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Pre-stamp cover of India — 14 October 1851, Surat HG 3 handstruck folded letter (COV-3787)

Pre-stamp cover of India — Surat HG 3, scan 2 (COV-3787)

Scan or Photo Courtesy of Sephils

Date

14 October 1851

Description

India 1851 prestamp cover from Surat via Southampton to Surrey, England w/ red tombstone "PAID" h/s

Auction

Sephils

429, Lot 0092, (2025)

Same office

Other recorded marks at Surat

3 marks

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

View all Surat marks and postal history →

About this Surat pre stamp cover

COV-3787 is a Surat pre stamp cover of 14 October 1851 bearing the Surat HG 3 handstamp, struck in red, recorded in the census of Surat postal history, Bombay Presidency. What is a pre stamp cover?

India 1851 prestamp cover from Surat via Southampton to Surrey, England w/ red tombstone "PAID" h/s

Its recorded auction history runs through Sephils 429 lot 0092 (2025).

2 images of COV-3787 are recorded; the Surat HG 3 mark itself is recorded in use 1838–1857.

Questions about COV-3787

What is COV-3787?: COV-3787 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Surat, Bombay Presidency of 14 October 1851, bearing the Surat HG 3 handstamp in red. India 1851 prestamp cover from Surat via Southampton to Surrey, England w/ red tombstone "PAID" h/s
How scarce is the Surat HG 3 mark on this cover?: The census grades Surat HG 3 as common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1838–1857.
What is the provenance of COV-3787?: Its recorded auction history runs through Sephils 429 lot 0092 (2025).
When was COV-3787 posted?: COV-3787 is dated 14 October 1851, within the recorded period of use of Surat HG 3 (1838–1857).

About this record

This 14 October 1851 pre stamp cover of British India bears the Surat HG 3 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 Sephils, 429, lot 0092, (2025).