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

The census grades Calicut HG 3 as common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1840–1852.

When was COV-3771 posted?

COV-3771 is dated 1852, within the recorded period of use of Calicut HG 3 (1840–1852).

COV-3771

1852 Calicut Cover

Back to census|Calicut HG 3 · 3 covers recorded

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Pre-stamp cover of India — 1852, Calicut HG 3 handstruck folded letter (COV-3771)

Pre-stamp cover of India — Calicut HG 3, scan 2 (COV-3771)

Pre-stamp cover of India — Calicut HG 3, scan 3 (COV-3771)

Scan or Photo Courtesy of Sephils

Date

1852

Description

India 1852 Stampless Cover from Calicut to Palghat, featuring rare 1844 discontinued handstamp, marking early interstate postage within Malabar. Includes original letter.

Auction

Sephils

464, Lot 0099, (2025)

Same office

Other recorded marks at Calicut

5 marks

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

View all Calicut marks and postal history →

About this Calicut pre stamp cover

COV-3771 is a Calicut pre stamp cover of 1852 bearing the Calicut HG 3 handstamp, struck in black, recorded in the census of Calicut postal history — the office known today as Kozhikode, Madras Presidency. What is a pre stamp cover?

India 1852 Stampless Cover from Calicut to Palghat, featuring rare 1844 discontinued handstamp, marking early interstate postage within Malabar. Includes original letter.

Its recorded auction history runs through Sephils 464 lot 0099 (2025).

3 images of COV-3771 are recorded; the Calicut HG 3 mark itself is recorded in use 1840–1852.

Questions about COV-3771

What is COV-3771?: COV-3771 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Calicut, Madras Presidency of 1852, bearing the Calicut HG 3 handstamp in black. India 1852 Stampless Cover from Calicut to Palghat, featuring rare 1844 discontinued handstamp, marking early interstate postage within Malabar. Includes original letter.
How scarce is the Calicut HG 3 mark on this cover?: The census grades Calicut HG 3 as common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1840–1852.
What is the provenance of COV-3771?: Its recorded auction history runs through Sephils 464 lot 0099 (2025).
When was COV-3771 posted?: COV-3771 is dated 1852, within the recorded period of use of Calicut HG 3 (1840–1852).

About this record

This 1852 pre stamp cover of British India bears the Calicut HG 3 handstamp of the Madras Presidency, a mark graded “Common” in this census — one of 3 surviving covers with this mark recorded. It has appeared at auction with Sephils, 464, lot 0099, (2025).