How scarce is the Bellary HG 3 mark on this cover?

The census grades Bellary HG 3 as scarce, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1826–1832.

When was COV-5245 posted?

COV-5245 is dated 2 October 1832, within the recorded period of use of Bellary HG 3 (1826–1832).

COV-5245

2 October 1832 Bellary Cover

Back to census|Bellary HG 3 · 2 covers recorded

← COV-2046

Pre-stamp cover of India — 2 October 1832, Bellary HG 3 handstruck folded letter (COV-5245)

Pre-stamp cover of India — Bellary HG 3, scan 2 (COV-5245)

Scan or Photo Courtesy of Siegel Auction Galleries

Date

2 October 1832

Description

India, Bellary, 1832, "BELLARY/POST FREE" Oval Handstamp (Giles 3). Clear and mostly complete strike with manuscript "2nd Octr 1832" date added on back of folded letter to "Mr. Van Ingen, Agent for Public Bearers" in Mysore, endorsed at bottom left and with "Service" at top, Very Fine strike, noted as "scarce" by Giles

Auction

Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries

The Magnolia Collection: India Postal History, Part 8 (Sale 9061, 21 October 2026), Lot 10020, (2026)

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-5245 is a Bellary pre stamp cover of 2 October 1832 bearing the Bellary HG 3 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?

Its recorded auction history runs through Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries The Magnolia Collection: India Postal History, Part 8 (Sale 9061, 21 October 2026) lot 10020 (2026).

2 images of COV-5245 are recorded; the Bellary HG 3 mark itself is recorded in use 1826–1832.

Questions about COV-5245

What is COV-5245?: COV-5245 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Bellary, Madras Presidency of 2 October 1832, bearing the Bellary HG 3 handstamp in black. India, Bellary, 1832, "BELLARY/POST FREE" Oval Handstamp (Giles 3). Clear and mostly complete strike with manuscript "2nd Octr 1832" date added on back of folded letter to "Mr. Van Ingen, Agent for Public Bearers" in Mysore, endorsed at bottom left and with "Service" at top, Very Fine strike, noted as "scarce" by Giles
How scarce is the Bellary HG 3 mark on this cover?: The census grades Bellary HG 3 as scarce, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1826–1832.
What is the provenance of COV-5245?: Its recorded auction history runs through Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries The Magnolia Collection: India Postal History, Part 8 (Sale 9061, 21 October 2026) lot 10020 (2026).
When was COV-5245 posted?: COV-5245 is dated 2 October 1832, within the recorded period of use of Bellary HG 3 (1826–1832).

About this record

This 2 October 1832 pre stamp cover of British India bears the Bellary HG 3 handstamp of the Madras Presidency, a mark graded “Scarce” in this census — one of 2 surviving covers with this mark recorded. It has appeared at auction with Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries, The Magnolia Collection: India Postal History, Part 8 (Sale 9061, 21 October 2026), lot 10020, (2026).