COV-2452 — 3 October 1825 Bangalore HG 2 Cover
Scan or Photo Courtesy of Santosh MS
Census record COV-2452 is a 3 October 1825 pre-stamp cover of British India bearing the Bangalore HG 2 handstamp of the Madras Presidency, a mark graded “Common” in this census — one of 15 surviving covers with this mark recorded.
Date
3 October 1825
Description
1825 Bangalore – London entire via Cape route, with Bangalore Giles 2 "Post Paid/Bangalore" despatch handstamp in magenta ink, date "3rd Octr. 1825" & rate "2–13" (paid 2R13A or 45A, comprising 9A per single letter Bangalore–Madras inland postage, endorsed 5 Rupees, indicating 5th weight step at 1 rupee per single letter, 9A × 5 = 45A) applied in manuscript. At Madras, Giles SD11 "OUT STATION/MADRAS/6 OC 6/1825/SHIP LETTER" transit mark applied. Sent bearing to the UK via the Cape route, entered the UK via Portsmouth port, and there "INDIA LETTER/PORTSMOUTH" transit handstamp & "5/8" (5s 8d postage, comprising 5s 4d Portsmouth–London inland postage, as sent between 50–80 miles, 8th weight step weighing between 1¾ to 2 oz., + 4d India concessional incoming sea postage) bearing postage applied in manuscript. Sent to London, and there "C/13 FE 13/1826" GPO receipt mark applied. Bearing postage collected from the recipient.