How scarce is the Bangalore HG 15 mark on this cover?

The census grades Bangalore HG 15 as very common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1848–1861.

When was COV-3653 posted?

COV-3653 is dated 1853, within the recorded period of use of Bangalore HG 15 (1848–1861).

COV-3653

1853 Bangalore Cover

Back to census|Bangalore HG 15 · 8 covers recorded

COV-4650 →

Pre-stamp cover of India — 1853, Bangalore HG 15 handstruck folded letter (COV-3653)

Pre-stamp cover of India — Bangalore HG 15, scan 2 (COV-3653)

Scan or Photo Courtesy of Sephils

Date

1853

Description

India 1853 prestamp cover from Bangalore to Madras featuring handstruck postage. Includes backstamp 'Bangalore/16-7-53/Paid 2A.' in orange, GPO Madras boxed stamp in red, and additional markings.

Auction

Sephils

556, Lot 0088, (2026)

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-3653 is a Bangalore pre stamp cover of 1853 bearing the Bangalore HG 15 handstamp, struck in blue, recorded in the census of Bangalore postal history — the office known today as Bengaluru, Madras Presidency. What is a pre stamp cover?

India 1853 prestamp cover from Bangalore to Madras featuring handstruck postage. Includes backstamp 'Bangalore/16-7-53/Paid 2A.' in orange, GPO Madras boxed stamp in red, and additional markings.

Its recorded auction history runs through Sephils 556 lot 0088 (2026).

2 images of COV-3653 are recorded; the Bangalore HG 15 mark itself is recorded in use 1848–1861.

Questions about COV-3653

What is COV-3653?: COV-3653 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Bangalore, Madras Presidency of 1853, bearing the Bangalore HG 15 handstamp in blue. India 1853 prestamp cover from Bangalore to Madras featuring handstruck postage. Includes backstamp 'Bangalore/16-7-53/Paid 2A.' in orange, GPO Madras boxed stamp in red, and additional markings.
How scarce is the Bangalore HG 15 mark on this cover?: The census grades Bangalore HG 15 as very common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1848–1861.
What is the provenance of COV-3653?: Its recorded auction history runs through Sephils 556 lot 0088 (2026).
When was COV-3653 posted?: COV-3653 is dated 1853, within the recorded period of use of Bangalore HG 15 (1848–1861).

About this record

This 1853 pre stamp cover of British India bears the Bangalore HG 15 handstamp of the Madras Presidency, a mark graded “Very common” in this census — one of 8 surviving covers with this mark recorded. It has appeared at auction with Sephils, 556, lot 0088, (2026).