COV-3342
8 September 1855 Tongnoo Cover
Scan or Photo Courtesy of Siegel Auction Galleries
Date
8 September 1855
Description
Siegel - Used in Burma, 1854, 2a Green (5; SG 31). Horizontal strip of five, mostly large to ample margins, just barely touched at top, intensely rich color and impression, cancelled by diamond of dots on folded cover to London, Englaand, manuscript "via Calcutta, Paid 10a", clearly struck red "Tongnoo Post Office, 1855 SEP 8" double-circle datestamp, strip tied by manuscript "Tongnoo Sept. 8th", red "INDIA PAID" handstamp, Calcutta transit and London arrival datestamp, the latter also tying the strip to cover, some sensible strengthening along internal folds VERY FINE. A RARE AND DESIRABLE STRIP OF FIVE OF THE 2-ANNAS TYPOGRAPH USED FROM TONGNOO, BURMA, TO ENGLAND. The rate paid was for a ½ to 1 tola cover -- 2a for ship letter to Calcutta plus 8a for packet rate via Southampton. Inland postage was still required from non-contract ports in Burma. Ex Davis and Dr. Kornan. Spink - †BURMA Diamond of Dots Cancellation combined with Post Office Datestamps 1855 (6 Sept.) from Tongnoo "Via Calcutta Paid 10as." to London, bearing 2a. deep green strip of five each neatly cancelled and additionally dated in manuscript, showing superb "tongnoo/post office" c.d.s., framed "india/paid" and London Paid c.d.s. (additionally tying the strip) all struck in red, Calcutta c.d.s. on reverse; worn and strengthened at folds, and a few faults on reverse, nevertheless a very rare and most attractive 1854 franking. Photo Estimate £ 2,500-3,000
Auction
1286, Lot 210, (May 2023)
Provenance
"Magnolia" Gerald Davis Dr. Kornan
About this Tongnoo pre stamp cover
COV-3342 is a Tongnoo pre stamp cover of 8 September 1855 bearing the Tongnoo FP 1 handstamp, struck in black, recorded in the census of Tongnoo postal history, Burma. What is a pre stamp cover?
Siegel - Used in Burma, 1854, 2a Green (5; SG 31). Horizontal strip of five, mostly large to ample margins, just barely touched at top, intensely rich color and impression, cancelled by diamond of dots on folded cover to London, Englaand, manuscript "via Calcutta, Paid 10a", clearly struck red "Tongnoo Post Office, 1855 SEP 8" double-circle datestamp, strip tied by manuscript "Tongnoo Sept. 8th", red "INDIA PAID" handstamp, Calcutta transit and London arrival datestamp, the latter also tying the strip to cover, some sensible strengthening along internal folds VERY FINE. A RARE AND DESIRABLE STRIP OF FIVE OF THE 2-ANNAS TYPOGRAPH USED FROM TONGNOO, BURMA, TO ENGLAND. The rate paid was for a ½ to 1 tola cover -- 2a for ship letter to Calcutta plus 8a for packet rate via Southampton. Inland postage was still required from non-contract ports in Burma. Ex Davis and Dr. Kornan. Spink - †BURMA Diamond of Dots Cancellation combined with Post Office Datestamps 1855 (6 Sept.) from Tongnoo "Via Calcutta Paid 10as." to London, bearing 2a. deep green strip of five each neatly cancelled and additionally dated in manuscript, showing superb "tongnoo/post office" c.d.s., framed "india/paid" and London Paid c.d.s. (additionally tying the strip) all struck in red, Calcutta c.d.s. on reverse; worn and strengthened at folds, and a few faults on reverse, nevertheless a very rare and most attractive 1854 franking. Photo Estimate £ 2,500-3,000
Its recorded auction history runs through Spink 4024 lot 250 (2004); and Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries 1286 lot 210 (May 2023).
1 image of COV-3342 is recorded; the Tongnoo FP 1 mark itself is recorded in use —.
Questions about COV-3342
- What is COV-3342?
- COV-3342 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Tongnoo, Burma of 8 September 1855, bearing the Tongnoo FP 1 handstamp in black. Siegel - Used in Burma, 1854, 2a Green (5; SG 31). Horizontal strip of five, mostly large to ample margins, just barely touched at top, intensely rich color and impression, cancelled by diamond of dots on folded cover to London, Englaand, manuscript "via Calcutta, Paid 10a", clearly struck red "Tongnoo Post Office, 1855 SEP 8" double-circle datestamp, strip tied by manuscript "Tongnoo Sept. 8th", red "INDIA PAID" handstamp, Calcutta transit and London arrival datestamp, the latter also tying the strip to cover, some sensible strengthening along internal folds VERY FINE. A RARE AND DESIRABLE STRIP OF FIVE OF THE 2-ANNAS TYPOGRAPH USED FROM TONGNOO, BURMA, TO ENGLAND. The rate paid was for a ½ to 1 tola cover -- 2a for ship letter to Calcutta plus 8a for packet rate via Southampton. Inland postage was still required from non-contract ports in Burma. Ex Davis and Dr. Kornan. Spink - †BURMA Diamond of Dots Cancellation combined with Post Office Datestamps 1855 (6 Sept.) from Tongnoo "Via Calcutta Paid 10as." to London, bearing 2a. deep green strip of five each neatly cancelled and additionally dated in manuscript, showing superb "tongnoo/post office" c.d.s., framed "india/paid" and London Paid c.d.s. (additionally tying the strip) all struck in red, Calcutta c.d.s. on reverse; worn and strengthened at folds, and a few faults on reverse, nevertheless a very rare and most attractive 1854 franking. Photo Estimate £ 2,500-3,000
- How scarce is the Tongnoo FP 1 mark on this cover?
- The census grades Tongnoo FP 1 as very scarce, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use —.
- What is the provenance of COV-3342?
- Its recorded auction history runs through Spink 4024 lot 250 (2004); and Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries 1286 lot 210 (May 2023).
- When was COV-3342 posted?
- COV-3342 is dated 8 September 1855, within the recorded period of use of Tongnoo FP 1 (—).
About this record
This 8 September 1855 pre stamp cover of British India bears the Tongnoo FP 1 handstamp of the Burma, a mark graded “Very scarce” in this census — one of 11 surviving covers with this mark recorded. It has appeared at auction with Spink, 4024, lot 250, (2004); Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries, 1286, lot 210, (May 2023).