How scarce is the Bellary HG 7 mark on this cover?

The census grades Bellary HG 7 as common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1840–1856.

When was COV-5363 posted?

COV-5363 is dated 5 March 1840, within the recorded period of use of Bellary HG 7 (1840–1856).

COV-5363

5 March 1840 Bellary Cover

Back to census|Bellary HG 7

Pre-stamp cover of India — 5 March 1840, Bellary HG 7 handstruck folded letter (COV-5363)

Pre-stamp cover of India — Bellary HG 7, scan 2 (COV-5363)

Scan or Photo Courtesy of Siegel Auction Galleries

Date

5 March 1840

Description

India, Mount, 1840, "St THO' MOUNT/1840 March 5/Bearing" Framed Datestamp (Giles 6). Clear strike on back and applied on return of 1840 cover sent from Madras to Bellary, then returned to Madras, Madras Bearing Feb. 2 despatch datestamp, Bellary Bearing (Feb. 29, Giles 7) backstamp, manuscript "Refused" notation on front, Very Fine strikes

Auction

Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries

The Magnolia Collection: India Postal History, Part 8 (Sale 9061, 21 October 2026), Lot 10106, (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-5363 is a Bellary pre stamp cover of 5 March 1840 bearing the Bellary HG 7 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 10106 (2026).

2 images of COV-5363 are recorded; the Bellary HG 7 mark itself is recorded in use 1840–1856.

Questions about COV-5363

What is COV-5363?: COV-5363 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Bellary, Madras Presidency of 5 March 1840, bearing the Bellary HG 7 handstamp in black. India, Mount, 1840, "St THO' MOUNT/1840 March 5/Bearing" Framed Datestamp (Giles 6). Clear strike on back and applied on return of 1840 cover sent from Madras to Bellary, then returned to Madras, Madras Bearing Feb. 2 despatch datestamp, Bellary Bearing (Feb. 29, Giles 7) backstamp, manuscript "Refused" notation on front, Very Fine strikes
How scarce is the Bellary HG 7 mark on this cover?: The census grades Bellary HG 7 as common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1840–1856.
What is the provenance of COV-5363?: 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 10106 (2026).
When was COV-5363 posted?: COV-5363 is dated 5 March 1840, within the recorded period of use of Bellary HG 7 (1840–1856).

About this record

This 5 March 1840 pre stamp cover of British India bears the Bellary HG 7 handstamp of the Madras Presidency, a mark graded “Common” in this census — the only surviving cover with this mark recorded so far. 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 10106, (2026).