Scan or Photo Courtesy of Gowtham BJ
Date
20 Feb 1823
Description
Clear strike on cover from Cannanore. POST FREE oval handstamp. Fine. India, Cannanore, 1820, "CANNANORE/POST FREE" Oval Handstamp (Giles 2). Legible strike with manuscript "20th Febry 1823" date added on back of soldier's concessionary rate folded letter to Frome, England, manuscript "From J. Saunders, Corpl. Hrs. Ms. 89th Regiment" endorsement, properly countersigned by commanding officer, two strikes of "INDIA LETTER/MARGATE" handstamp (Robertson In. 1), London transit backstamp, manuscript "1/3" rate marking, accompanied by printed transcription of letter, cover with light overall soiling, Fine strike, this is the only recorded example of this Cannanore Post Free marking as noted by Giles, an important pre-stamp postal marking, even more so used on a soldier's concessionary rate cover
Auction
Provenance
Manning Magnolia
Same office
Other recorded marks at Cannanore
9 marks9 other pre-1854 postal markings of Cannanore are recorded in the census. Compare their figure numbers, dates and colours to identify the mark on your cover.
- Cannanore HG 1handstampBlack1820–1823
- Cannanore HG 2ahandstampBlack1823–1825
- Cannanore HG 3handstampBlack1825–1837
- Cannanore HG 4handstampBlack1827–1830
- Cannanore HG 5handstampRed1838–1845
- Cannanore HG 6handstampBlack1838-42
- Cannanore HG 7handstampRed1839-42
- Cannanore HG 8handstampRed1844-49
- Cannanore MN 1manuscript1819
About this record
This 20 Feb 1823 pre stamp cover of British India bears the Cannanore HG 2 handstamp of the Madras Presidency, a mark with 1 example recorded in this census — the only surviving cover with this mark recorded so far. It has appeared at auction with Cavendish Philatelic Auctions Ltd, Manning, lot 98, (Sept 2015); Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries, 9054 The Magnolia Collection: India Postal History, Part 7, lot 10023, (5/14/2026).