How scarce is the Cochin HG 2 mark on this cover?

The census grades Cochin HG 2 as common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1843–1859.

When was COV-5170 posted?

COV-5170 is dated 1854, within the recorded period of use of Cochin HG 2 (1843–1859).

COV-5170

1854 Cochin Cover

Back to census|Cochin HG 2 · 10 covers recorded

← COV-4710

Pre-stamp cover of India — 1854, Cochin HG 2 handstruck folded letter (COV-5170)

Pre-stamp cover of India — Cochin HG 2, scan 2 (COV-5170)

Scan or Photo Courtesy of Siegel Auction Galleries

Date

1854

Description

India, 1854, 2a Green (5; SG 31). Horizontal pair, large to ample margins, cancelled by clear strikes of "C/130" cancels on 1857 cover to Brighton, England, sender's directive "pr Steamer by Madras" , red framed "COCHIN/Paid" despatch handstamp (Giles 2) with manuscript "20-4 57" date added on back, red "INDIA PAID" crescent handstamp, Madras (Apr. 25) and London (Jun. 5) transit and Brighton (Jun. 5) arrival datestamps, cover with trace of overall ageing and horizontal file fold thru stamps, Very Fine, ex Dr. Kornan

Auction

Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries

The Magnolia Collection: India Postal History, Part 7 (Sale 9054), Lot 10137, (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-5170 is a Cochin pre stamp cover of 1854 bearing the Cochin HG 2 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?

Its recorded auction history runs through Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries The Magnolia Collection: India Postal History, Part 7 (Sale 9054) lot 10137 (2026).

2 images of COV-5170 are recorded; the Cochin HG 2 mark itself is recorded in use 1843–1859.

Questions about COV-5170

What is COV-5170?: COV-5170 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Cochin, Madras Presidency of 1854, bearing the Cochin HG 2 handstamp in red. India, 1854, 2a Green (5; SG 31). Horizontal pair, large to ample margins, cancelled by clear strikes of "C/130" cancels on 1857 cover to Brighton, England, sender's directive "pr Steamer by Madras" , red framed "COCHIN/Paid" despatch handstamp (Giles 2) with manuscript "20-4 57" date added on back, red "INDIA PAID" crescent handstamp, Madras (Apr. 25) and London (Jun. 5) transit and Brighton (Jun. 5) arrival datestamps, cover with trace of overall ageing and horizontal file fold thru stamps, Very Fine, ex Dr. Kornan
How scarce is the Cochin HG 2 mark on this cover?: The census grades Cochin HG 2 as common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1843–1859.
What is the provenance of COV-5170?: Its recorded auction history runs through Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries The Magnolia Collection: India Postal History, Part 7 (Sale 9054) lot 10137 (2026).
When was COV-5170 posted?: COV-5170 is dated 1854, within the recorded period of use of Cochin HG 2 (1843–1859).

About this record

This 1854 pre stamp cover of British India bears the Cochin HG 2 handstamp of the Madras Presidency, a mark graded “Common” in this census — one of 10 surviving covers with this mark recorded. It has appeared at auction with Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries, The Magnolia Collection: India Postal History, Part 7 (Sale 9054), lot 10137, (2026).