COV-32 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Cochin, Madras Presidency of 10 January 1831, bearing the Cochin HG 1B handstamp in red. Cochin entire letter addressed to Captain M. Campbell, Artillery, Bangalore with "cochin/post paid" framed h.s. in red

How scarce is the Cochin HG 1B mark on this cover?

The census grades Cochin HG 1B as rare, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1831.

When was COV-32 posted?

COV-32 is dated 10 January 1831, within the recorded period of use of Cochin HG 1B (1831).

COV-32

10 January 1831 Cochin Cover

Back to census|Cochin HG 1B · 2 covers recorded

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Pre-stamp cover of India — 10 January 1831, Cochin HG 1B handstruck folded letter (COV-32) — front

Pre-stamp cover of India — Cochin HG 1B, front (COV-32) — front

Scan or Photo Courtesy of Spink

Date

10 January 1831

Description

Cochin entire letter addressed to Captain M. Campbell, Artillery, Bangalore with "cochin/post paid" framed h.s. in red

Auction

Spink

Auction: 26115 - The Philatelic Collector's Series - e-Auction, Lot Lot: 6221, (13–27 May 2026)

Same office

Other recorded marks at Cochin

5 marks

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

View all Cochin marks and postal history →

About this Cochin pre stamp cover

COV-32 is a Cochin pre stamp cover of 10 January 1831 bearing the Cochin HG 1B handstamp, struck in red, recorded in the census of Cochin postal history — the office known today as Kochi, Madras Presidency. What is a pre stamp cover?

Cochin entire letter addressed to Captain M. Campbell, Artillery, Bangalore with "cochin/post paid" framed h.s. in red

Its recorded auction history runs through Spink Auction: 26115 - The Philatelic Collector's Series - e-Auction lot Lot: 6221 (13–27 May 2026).

2 images of COV-32 are recorded (front); the Cochin HG 1B mark itself is recorded in use 1831.

Questions about COV-32

What is COV-32?: COV-32 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Cochin, Madras Presidency of 10 January 1831, bearing the Cochin HG 1B handstamp in red. Cochin entire letter addressed to Captain M. Campbell, Artillery, Bangalore with "cochin/post paid" framed h.s. in red
How scarce is the Cochin HG 1B mark on this cover?: The census grades Cochin HG 1B as rare, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1831.
What is the provenance of COV-32?: Its recorded auction history runs through Spink Auction: 26115 - The Philatelic Collector's Series - e-Auction lot Lot: 6221 (13–27 May 2026).
When was COV-32 posted?: COV-32 is dated 10 January 1831, within the recorded period of use of Cochin HG 1B (1831).

About this record

This 10 January 1831 pre stamp cover of British India bears the Cochin HG 1B handstamp of the Madras Presidency, a mark graded “Rare” in this census — one of 2 surviving covers with this mark recorded. It has appeared at auction with Spink, Auction: 26115 - The Philatelic Collector's Series - e-Auction, lot Lot: 6221, (13–27 May 2026).