How scarce is the Arcot HG 1A mark on this cover?

The census grades Arcot HG 1A as 2 examples recorded, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1819–1820.

When was COV-5339 posted?

COV-5339 is dated 20 April 1820, within the recorded period of use of Arcot HG 1A (1819–1820).

COV-5339

20 April 1820 Arcot Cover

Back to census|Arcot HG 1A · 2 covers recorded

← COV-591

Pre-stamp cover of India — 20 April 1820, Arcot HG 1A handstruck folded letter (COV-5339)

Pre-stamp cover of India — Arcot HG 1A, scan 2 (COV-5339)

Scan or Photo Courtesy of Siegel Auction Galleries

Date

20 April 1820

Description

India, Arcot, 1820, "Post Office Arcot" Negative Intaglio Handstamp (Giles 1A -- Unrecorded). Faint though just legible strike with manuscript "Arcot 20 April 1820" date on back of folded letter to Major de Havilland in Madras, Madras (Apr. 25) arrival backstamp, cover with slight toning along vertical file fold, Fine strike, unrecorded by Giles though updated on the digitized listing of the Giles catalogue (www.handstruckstampsindia.com), we are aware of only one other example, we doubt more than a few strikes exist

Auction

Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries

The Magnolia Collection: India Postal History, Part 8 (Sale 9061, 21 October 2026), Lot 10012, (2026)

Same office

Other recorded marks at Arcot

5 marks

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

View all Arcot marks and postal history →

About this Arcot pre stamp cover

COV-5339 is an Arcot pre stamp cover of 20 April 1820 bearing the Arcot HG 1A handstamp, struck in black, recorded in the census of Arcot postal history, Madras Presidency. What is a pre stamp cover?

Its recorded auction history runs through Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries The Magnolia Collection: India Postal History, Part 8 (Sale 9061, 21 October 2026) lot 10012 (2026).

2 images of COV-5339 are recorded; the Arcot HG 1A mark itself is recorded in use 1819–1820.

Questions about COV-5339

What is COV-5339?: COV-5339 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Arcot, Madras Presidency of 20 April 1820, bearing the Arcot HG 1A handstamp in black. India, Arcot, 1820, "Post Office Arcot" Negative Intaglio Handstamp (Giles 1A -- Unrecorded). Faint though just legible strike with manuscript "Arcot 20 April 1820" date on back of folded letter to Major de Havilland in Madras, Madras (Apr. 25) arrival backstamp, cover with slight toning along vertical file fold, Fine strike, unrecorded by Giles though updated on the digitized listing of the Giles catalogue (www.handstruckstampsindia.com), we are aware of only one other example, we doubt more than a few strikes exist
How scarce is the Arcot HG 1A mark on this cover?: The census grades Arcot HG 1A as 2 examples recorded, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1819–1820.
What is the provenance of COV-5339?: Its recorded auction history runs through Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries The Magnolia Collection: India Postal History, Part 8 (Sale 9061, 21 October 2026) lot 10012 (2026).
When was COV-5339 posted?: COV-5339 is dated 20 April 1820, within the recorded period of use of Arcot HG 1A (1819–1820).

About this record

This 20 April 1820 pre stamp cover of British India bears the Arcot HG 1A handstamp of the Madras Presidency, a mark with 2 examples recorded in this census — one of 2 surviving covers with this mark recorded. It has appeared at auction with Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries, The Magnolia Collection: India Postal History, Part 8 (Sale 9061, 21 October 2026), lot 10012, (2026).