COV-626 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Bellary, Madras Presidency of 1817, bearing the Bellary HG 1 handstamp in black. "Post Paid/Ballary" Handstamp (Giles 1). Faint but legible red oval handstamp on folded letter.

How scarce is the Bellary HG 1 mark on this cover?

The census grades Bellary HG 1 as very scarce, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1806–1821.

When was COV-626 posted?

COV-626 is dated 1817, within the recorded period of use of Bellary HG 1 (1806–1821).

COV-626

1817 Bellary Cover

Back to census|Bellary HG 1 · 6 covers recorded

← COV-73 COV-932 →

Pre-stamp cover of India — 1817, Bellary HG 1 handstruck folded letter (COV-626) — front

Pre-stamp cover of India — Bellary HG 1, back (COV-626) — back

Scan or Photo Courtesy of Siegel Auction Galleries

Date

1817

Description

"Post Paid/Ballary" Handstamp (Giles 1). Faint but legible red oval handstamp on folded letter.

Auction

Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries

Sale No. 1325, Lot 3001, (2025)

Provenance

•2025, Robert A. Siegel Sale No. 1325, Lot 3001

Same office

Other recorded marks at Bellary

12 marks

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

+6 more at this office.View all Bellary marks and postal history →

About this Bellary pre stamp cover

COV-626 is a Bellary pre stamp cover of 1817 bearing the Bellary HG 1 handstamp, struck in black, recorded in the census of Bellary postal history — the office known today as Ballari, Madras Presidency. What is a pre stamp cover?

"Post Paid/Ballary" Handstamp (Giles 1). Faint but legible red oval handstamp on folded letter.

Its recorded auction history runs through Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries Sale No. 1325 lot 3001 (2025).

2 images of COV-626 are recorded (front, back); the Bellary HG 1 mark itself is recorded in use 1806–1821.

Questions about COV-626

What is COV-626?: COV-626 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Bellary, Madras Presidency of 1817, bearing the Bellary HG 1 handstamp in black. "Post Paid/Ballary" Handstamp (Giles 1). Faint but legible red oval handstamp on folded letter.
How scarce is the Bellary HG 1 mark on this cover?: The census grades Bellary HG 1 as very scarce, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1806–1821.
What is the provenance of COV-626?: Its recorded auction history runs through Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries Sale No. 1325 lot 3001 (2025).
When was COV-626 posted?: COV-626 is dated 1817, within the recorded period of use of Bellary HG 1 (1806–1821).

About this record

This 1817 pre stamp cover of British India bears the Bellary HG 1 handstamp of the Madras Presidency, a mark graded “Very scarce” in this census — one of 6 surviving covers with this mark recorded. It has appeared at auction with Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries, Sale No. 1325, lot 3001, (2025).