COV-3834 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Combaconum, Madras Presidency of 1854, bearing the Combaconum HG 3 handstamp in red. 1854 ½a BLUE - DIE I - "A" STONE - RETOUCH ON COVER: A native cover franked by ½a blue single [61] clearly showing "touched up hair" and "retouched eye" varieties. Fine.

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

The census grades Combaconum HG 3 as common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1845–1858.

When was COV-3834 posted?

COV-3834 is dated 1854, within the recorded period of use of Combaconum HG 3 (1845–1858).

COV-3834

1854 Combaconum Cover

Back to census|Combaconum HG 3 · 7 covers recorded

← COV-2873 COV-4220 →

Pre-stamp cover of India — 1854, Combaconum HG 3 handstruck folded letter (COV-3834) — front

Pre-stamp cover of India — Combaconum HG 3, back (COV-3834) — back

Pre-stamp cover of India — Combaconum HG 3, detail (COV-3834) — detail

Scan or Photo Courtesy of Cavendish Philatelic Auctions Ltd

Date

1854

Description

1854 ½a BLUE - DIE I - "A" STONE - RETOUCH ON COVER: A native cover franked by ½a blue single [61] clearly showing "touched up hair" and "retouched eye" varieties. Fine.

Auction

Cavendish Philatelic Auctions Ltd

The Robert Ricketts Collection of India Stamps & Postal History, Lot 42, (15 Jul 2026)

Same office

Other recorded marks at Combaconum

2 marks

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

View all Combaconum marks and postal history →

About this Combaconum pre stamp cover

COV-3834 is a Combaconum pre stamp cover of 1854 bearing the Combaconum HG 3 handstamp, struck in red, recorded in the census of Combaconum postal history — the office known today as Kumbakonam, Madras Presidency. What is a pre stamp cover?

1854 ½a BLUE - DIE I - "A" STONE - RETOUCH ON COVER: A native cover franked by ½a blue single [61] clearly showing "touched up hair" and "retouched eye" varieties. Fine.

Its recorded auction history runs through Cavendish Philatelic Auctions Ltd The Robert Ricketts Collection of India Stamps & Postal History lot 42 (15 Jul 2026).

3 images of COV-3834 are recorded (front, back, detail); the Combaconum HG 3 mark itself is recorded in use 1845–1858.

Questions about COV-3834

What is COV-3834?: COV-3834 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Combaconum, Madras Presidency of 1854, bearing the Combaconum HG 3 handstamp in red. 1854 ½a BLUE - DIE I - "A" STONE - RETOUCH ON COVER: A native cover franked by ½a blue single [61] clearly showing "touched up hair" and "retouched eye" varieties. Fine.
How scarce is the Combaconum HG 3 mark on this cover?: The census grades Combaconum HG 3 as common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1845–1858.
What is the provenance of COV-3834?: Its recorded auction history runs through Cavendish Philatelic Auctions Ltd The Robert Ricketts Collection of India Stamps & Postal History lot 42 (15 Jul 2026).
When was COV-3834 posted?: COV-3834 is dated 1854, within the recorded period of use of Combaconum HG 3 (1845–1858).

About this record

This 1854 pre stamp cover of British India bears the Combaconum HG 3 handstamp of the Madras Presidency, a mark graded “Common” in this census — one of 7 surviving covers with this mark recorded. It has appeared at auction with Cavendish Philatelic Auctions Ltd, The Robert Ricketts Collection of India Stamps & Postal History, lot 42, (15 Jul 2026).