How scarce is the Bangalore HG 9 mark on this cover?

The census grades Bangalore HG 9 as common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1837–1857.

When was COV-3735 posted?

COV-3735 is dated 22 March 1851, within the recorded period of use of Bangalore HG 9 (1837–1857).

COV-3735

22 March 1851 Bangalore Cover

Back to census|Bangalore HG 9 · 38 covers recorded

← COV-3718 COV-3757 →

Pre-stamp cover of India — 22 March 1851, Bangalore HG 9 handstruck folded letter (COV-3735)

Pre-stamp cover of India — Bangalore HG 9, scan 2 (COV-3735)

Pre-stamp cover of India — Bangalore HG 9, scan 3 (COV-3735)

Pre-stamp cover of India — Bangalore HG 9, scan 4 (COV-3735)

Scan or Photo Courtesy of Sephils

Date

22 March 1851

Description

India 1851 Madras Ship Letter from Bangalore to London, Paid 40 Annas, Bangalore PAID handstamp on reverse, Madras SD20 dispatch with SD21 transit, rare high-rate inland to England entire with long original letter

Auction

Sephils

485, Lot 0109, (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-3735 is a Bangalore pre stamp cover of 22 March 1851 bearing the Bangalore HG 9 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?

Its recorded auction history runs through Sephils 485 lot 0109 (2026).

4 images of COV-3735 are recorded; the Bangalore HG 9 mark itself is recorded in use 1837–1857.

Questions about COV-3735

What is COV-3735?: COV-3735 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Bangalore, Madras Presidency of 22 March 1851, bearing the Bangalore HG 9 handstamp in red. India 1851 Madras Ship Letter from Bangalore to London, Paid 40 Annas, Bangalore PAID handstamp on reverse, Madras SD20 dispatch with SD21 transit, rare high-rate inland to England entire with long original letter
How scarce is the Bangalore HG 9 mark on this cover?: The census grades Bangalore HG 9 as common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1837–1857.
What is the provenance of COV-3735?: Its recorded auction history runs through Sephils 485 lot 0109 (2026).
When was COV-3735 posted?: COV-3735 is dated 22 March 1851, within the recorded period of use of Bangalore HG 9 (1837–1857).

About this record

This 22 March 1851 pre stamp cover of British India bears the Bangalore HG 9 handstamp of the Madras Presidency, a mark graded “Common” in this census — one of 38 surviving covers with this mark recorded. It has appeared at auction with Sephils, 485, lot 0109, (2026).