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Hand Struck Stamps

COV-4209

2 July 1855 Bangalore Cover

Back to census|Bangalore HG 18 · 8 covers recorded
← COV-4164COV-4412 →
Pre-stamp cover of India — 2 July 1855, Bangalore HG 18 handstruck folded letter (COV-4209)
front
Pre-stamp cover of India — Bangalore HG 18, back (COV-4209)
back
Pre-stamp cover of India — Bangalore HG 18, front (COV-4209)
front

Scan or Photo Courtesy of Spink

Date

2 July 1855

Description

1854, 4 a. blue/red, 2nd Printing, Worn Head Die II, two cut-to-shape examples, and 1 a. dull red, four very good margins, tied by losange of dots to an envelope to Jersey, alongside red cds. "(LONDON) 1855 17 AU BN" and crescent shape "INDIA PAID", reverse framed boxed "BANGALORE 1855 JUNE" and arrival cds. "JERSEY AU 18 1855 A". A fine and attractive cover with a scarce destination, certificate RPSL (2023)

Auction

Heinrich KöhlerHeinrich Köhler

Heinrich Koehler Auctions GmbH & Co. KG Sale - 385, Lot 1711, (2025)

Heinrich KöhlerHeinrich Köhler

389th Auction, Lot 1621, (2026)

SpinkSpink

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-4209 is a Bangalore pre stamp cover of 2 July 1855 bearing the Bangalore HG 18 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?

1854, 4 a. blue/red, 2nd Printing, Worn Head Die II, two cut-to-shape examples, and 1 a. dull red, four very good margins, tied by losange of dots to an envelope to Jersey, alongside red cds. "(LONDON) 1855 17 AU BN" and crescent shape "INDIA PAID", reverse framed boxed "BANGALORE 1855 JUNE" and arrival cds. "JERSEY AU 18 1855 A". A fine and attractive cover with a scarce destination, certificate RPSL (2023)

Its recorded auction history runs through Heinrich Köhler Heinrich Koehler Auctions GmbH & Co. KG Sale - 385 lot 1711 (2025); Heinrich Köhler 389th Auction lot 1621 (2026); and Spink.

3 images of COV-4209 are recorded (front, back); the Bangalore HG 18 mark itself is recorded in use 1855–1857.

Questions about COV-4209

What is COV-4209?
COV-4209 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Bangalore, Madras Presidency of 2 July 1855, bearing the Bangalore HG 18 handstamp in red. 1854, 4 a. blue/red, 2nd Printing, Worn Head Die II, two cut-to-shape examples, and 1 a. dull red, four very good margins, tied by losange of dots to an envelope to Jersey, alongside red cds. "(LONDON) 1855 17 AU BN" and crescent shape "INDIA PAID", reverse framed boxed "BANGALORE 1855 JUNE" and arrival cds. "JERSEY AU 18 1855 A". A fine and attractive cover with a scarce destination, certificate RPSL (2023)
How scarce is the Bangalore HG 18 mark on this cover?
The census grades Bangalore HG 18 as common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1855–1857.
What is the provenance of COV-4209?
Its recorded auction history runs through Heinrich Köhler Heinrich Koehler Auctions GmbH & Co. KG Sale - 385 lot 1711 (2025); Heinrich Köhler 389th Auction lot 1621 (2026); and Spink.
When was COV-4209 posted?
COV-4209 is dated 2 July 1855, within the recorded period of use of Bangalore HG 18 (1855–1857).

About this record

This 2 July 1855 pre stamp cover of British India bears the Bangalore HG 18 handstamp of the Madras Presidency, a mark graded “Common” in this census — one of 8 surviving covers with this mark recorded. It has appeared at auction with Heinrich Köhler, Heinrich Koehler Auctions GmbH & Co. KG Sale - 385, lot 1711, (2025); Heinrich Köhler, 389th Auction, lot 1621, (2026); Spink.