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Hand Struck Stamps

COV-4160

9 January 1858 Bangalore Cover

Back to census|Bangalore HG 14 · 9 covers recorded
← COV-3766COV-4161 →
Pre-stamp cover of India — 9 January 1858, Bangalore HG 14 handstruck folded letter (COV-4160)
front

Scan or Photo Courtesy of Gowtham BJ

Date

9 January 1858

Description

SPECTACULAR 4as-RATE COVER EX BANGALORE TO G.B. WITH INDIA QV 1856 ½a BLUE BLOCK OF EIGHT; Impressive 9 Jan. 1858 env. (a few short tears affect both sides, but clear of stamps; old hinges at top of address side) prepaid from "BANGALORE" (v. fine red boxed "PAID" mark with ms date - tear at top left - beside stamps on reverse) to Woolwich ranked on reverse with a good Block of Eight 1856 ½a Blues (tiny wrinkles at left and a couple of very light stain marks at lower left) tied by light dotted diamond "C/12" numerals, also having a fine red serpentine-frame "TOO LATE", v. fine red "MADRAS" transit cds and fine boxed blue-black "RG. HOUSE/No.1" nearby. On the front there is a very fine red crescent-framed Bangalore "INDIA PAID" and a red London "PAID" arrival cds (20 Feb.).

Auction

SpinkSpink

Summer Collector's Series sale (Sale 11029), Lot 477, (July 12, 2011)

Cavendish Philatelic Auctions LtdCavendish Philatelic Auctions Ltd

Lot 515, (2025)

Provenance

Ex Michael Caswell

Same office

Other recorded marks at Bangalore

18 marks

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

+12 more at this office.View all Bangalore marks and postal history →

About this Bangalore pre stamp cover

COV-4160 is a Bangalore pre stamp cover of 9 January 1858 bearing the Bangalore HG 14 handstamp, struck in red, recorded in the census of Bangalore postal history — the office known today as Bengaluru, Madras Presidency. What is a pre stamp cover?

SPECTACULAR 4as-RATE COVER EX BANGALORE TO G.B. WITH INDIA QV 1856 ½a BLUE BLOCK OF EIGHT; Impressive 9 Jan. 1858 env. (a few short tears affect both sides, but clear of stamps; old hinges at top of address side) prepaid from "BANGALORE" (v. fine red boxed "PAID" mark with ms date - tear at top left - beside stamps on reverse) to Woolwich ranked on reverse with a good Block of Eight 1856 ½a Blues (tiny wrinkles at left and a couple of very light stain marks at lower left) tied by light dotted diamond "C/12" numerals, also having a fine red serpentine-frame "TOO LATE", v. fine red "MADRAS" transit cds and fine boxed blue-black "RG. HOUSE/No.1" nearby. On the front there is a very fine red crescent-framed Bangalore "INDIA PAID" and a red London "PAID" arrival cds (20 Feb.).

Its recorded auction history runs through Spink Summer Collector's Series sale (Sale 11029) lot 477 (July 12, 2011); and Cavendish Philatelic Auctions Ltd lot 515 (2025).

1 image of COV-4160 is recorded (front); the Bangalore HG 14 mark itself is recorded in use 1853–1859.

Questions about COV-4160

What is COV-4160?
COV-4160 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Bangalore, Madras Presidency of 9 January 1858, bearing the Bangalore HG 14 handstamp in red. SPECTACULAR 4as-RATE COVER EX BANGALORE TO G.B. WITH INDIA QV 1856 ½a BLUE BLOCK OF EIGHT; Impressive 9 Jan. 1858 env. (a few short tears affect both sides, but clear of stamps; old hinges at top of address side) prepaid from "BANGALORE" (v. fine red boxed "PAID" mark with ms date - tear at top left - beside stamps on reverse) to Woolwich ranked on reverse with a good Block of Eight 1856 ½a Blues (tiny wrinkles at left and a couple of very light stain marks at lower left) tied by light dotted diamond "C/12" numerals, also having a fine red serpentine-frame "TOO LATE", v. fine red "MADRAS" transit cds and fine boxed blue-black "RG. HOUSE/No.1" nearby. On the front there is a very fine red crescent-framed Bangalore "INDIA PAID" and a red London "PAID" arrival cds (20 Feb.).
How scarce is the Bangalore HG 14 mark on this cover?
The census grades Bangalore HG 14 as common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1853–1859.
What is the provenance of COV-4160?
Its recorded auction history runs through Spink Summer Collector's Series sale (Sale 11029) lot 477 (July 12, 2011); and Cavendish Philatelic Auctions Ltd lot 515 (2025).
When was COV-4160 posted?
COV-4160 is dated 9 January 1858, within the recorded period of use of Bangalore HG 14 (1853–1859).

About this record

This 9 January 1858 pre stamp cover of British India bears the Bangalore HG 14 handstamp of the Madras Presidency, a mark graded “Common” in this census — one of 9 surviving covers with this mark recorded. It has appeared at auction with Spink, Summer Collector's Series sale (Sale 11029), lot 477, (July 12, 2011); Cavendish Philatelic Auctions Ltd, lot 515, (2025).