Scan or Photo Courtesy of Grosvenor Auctions
Date
1856
Description
India: Cancellations and Covers: 1856 (Jan. 18) native wrapper to Surat franked 1/2a. (Die I) with diamond shaped lined “I” cancellation. Reverse with framed “Bombay/1856 Jan. 18/Paid” (Giles type 18) mark and a similar arrival mark for “SURAT” also in red - unrecorded by Giles - and scarce. Photo.
Auction
GPA 174: British Empire & Foreign Countries, Lot 1027
Same office
Other recorded marks at Surat
3 marks3 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.
About this Surat pre stamp cover
COV-5385 is a Surat pre stamp cover of 1856 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: Cancellations and Covers: 1856 (Jan. 18) native wrapper to Surat franked 1/2a. (Die I) with diamond shaped lined “I” cancellation. Reverse with framed “Bombay/1856 Jan. 18/Paid” (Giles type 18) mark and a similar arrival mark for “SURAT” also in red - unrecorded by Giles - and scarce. Photo.
Its recorded auction history runs through Grosvenor Philatelic Auctions GPA 174: British Empire & Foreign Countries lot 1027.
1 image of COV-5385 is recorded; the Surat HG 3 mark itself is recorded in use 1838–1857.
Questions about COV-5385
- What is COV-5385?
- COV-5385 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Surat, Bombay Presidency of 1856, bearing the Surat HG 3 handstamp in red. India: Cancellations and Covers: 1856 (Jan. 18) native wrapper to Surat franked 1/2a. (Die I) with diamond shaped lined “I” cancellation. Reverse with framed “Bombay/1856 Jan. 18/Paid” (Giles type 18) mark and a similar arrival mark for “SURAT” also in red - unrecorded by Giles - and scarce. Photo.
- 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-5385?
- Its recorded auction history runs through Grosvenor Philatelic Auctions GPA 174: British Empire & Foreign Countries lot 1027.
- When was COV-5385 posted?
- COV-5385 is dated 1856, within the recorded period of use of Surat HG 3 (1838–1857).
About this record
This 1856 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 Grosvenor Philatelic Auctions, GPA 174: British Empire & Foreign Countries, lot 1027.