COV-2531 — 21 August 1855 Bellary HG 9 Cover
Scan or Photo Courtesy of Cavendish Philatelic Auctions Ltd
Census record COV-2531 is a 21 August 1855 pre-stamp cover of British India bearing the Bellary HG 9 handstamp of the Madras Presidency, a mark graded “Common” in this census — one of 2 surviving covers with this mark recorded. It has appeared at auction with Cavendish Philatelic Auctions Ltd, The Michael Caswell Collection of 19th Century India Postal History & Stamps Auction, lot 1017, (2026).
Date
21 August 1855
Description
RARE STRIP OF FOUR ½a ON INTERNAL COVER - ORIGINALLY FORWARDING A LETTER TO AUSTRALIA; 21 Aug. 1855 EL from "Bellary" to Madras (at the 2as ½ to 1 tola rate) with rare ½a Blue Strip of Four (4m all round, tight in places, tiny cut touches frame at bottom left) on the reverse tied by dotted diamonds with a fine red boxed "BELLARY/1855 August 21/Paid" alongside, having Madras boxed "AM" and red boxed "G.P.O." ds nearby. The contents show why this letter was above weight; "Donnellan has given me the enclosed letter to...New Farm, N. Brisban, Sydney, New South Wales, and has asked me to send it to you... by the first ship... [and tell me] the amount you pay for Ship postage that I may recover the same from him...". Rare strip of ½a on non-registered internal cover. Exhibition Quality. Cross Reference: NEW SOUTH WALES, QUEENSLAND
Auction
The Michael Caswell Collection of 19th Century India Postal History & Stamps Auction, Lot 1017, (2026)