Scan or Photo Courtesy of Siegel Auction Galleries
Date
1854
Description
India, 1854, ½a Blue, Die I (2; SG 2). Two singles, each with mostly large margins, just clear at top on right stamp, both tied by dotted diamond cancels on 1855 registered native folded letter, red framed despatch and arrival handstamps on back dated Jul. 10 and Jul. 12, respectively, manuscript "Register Letter" also ties left stamp, Very Fine, ex Dr. Kornan
Auction
The Magnolia Collection: India Postal History, Part 8 (Sale 9061, 21 October 2026), Lot 10129, (2026)
Same office
Other recorded marks at Combaconum
2 marks2 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.
About this Combaconum pre stamp cover
COV-5323 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?
India, 1854, ½a Blue, Die I (2; SG 2). Two singles, each with mostly large margins, just clear at top on right stamp, both tied by dotted diamond cancels on 1855 registered native folded letter, red framed despatch and arrival handstamps on back dated Jul. 10 and Jul. 12, respectively, manuscript "Register Letter" also ties left stamp, Very Fine, ex Dr. Kornan
Its recorded auction history runs through Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries The Magnolia Collection: India Postal History, Part 8 (Sale 9061, 21 October 2026) lot 10129 (2026).
2 images of COV-5323 are recorded; the Combaconum HG 3 mark itself is recorded in use 1845–1858.
Questions about COV-5323
- What is COV-5323?
- COV-5323 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Combaconum, Madras Presidency of 1854, bearing the Combaconum HG 3 handstamp in red. India, 1854, ½a Blue, Die I (2; SG 2). Two singles, each with mostly large margins, just clear at top on right stamp, both tied by dotted diamond cancels on 1855 registered native folded letter, red framed despatch and arrival handstamps on back dated Jul. 10 and Jul. 12, respectively, manuscript "Register Letter" also ties left stamp, Very Fine, ex Dr. Kornan
- 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-5323?
- Its recorded auction history runs through Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries The Magnolia Collection: India Postal History, Part 8 (Sale 9061, 21 October 2026) lot 10129 (2026).
- When was COV-5323 posted?
- COV-5323 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 Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries, The Magnolia Collection: India Postal History, Part 8 (Sale 9061, 21 October 2026), lot 10129, (2026).