COV-637 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Conjeveram, Madras Presidency of 1816, bearing the Conjeveram HG 1 handstamp in black. "POST PAID/CONJEVERAM" Handstamp (Giles 1). Faint but mostly complete strike.

How scarce is the Conjeveram HG 1 mark on this cover?

The census grades Conjeveram HG 1 as rare, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1816.

When was COV-637 posted?

COV-637 is dated 1816, within the recorded period of use of Conjeveram HG 1 (1816).

COV-637

1816 Conjeveram Cover

Back to census|Conjeveram HG 1

Pre-stamp cover of India — 1816, Conjeveram HG 1 handstruck folded letter (COV-637) — front

Scan or Photo Courtesy of Siegel Auction Galleries

Date

1816

Description

"POST PAID/CONJEVERAM" Handstamp (Giles 1). Faint but mostly complete strike.

Auction

Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries

Sale No. 1325, Lot 3013, (2025)

Provenance

•2025, Robert A. Siegel Sale No. 1325, Lot 3013

Same office

Other recorded marks at Conjeveram

1 mark

One other pre-1854 postal marking of Conjeveram is recorded in the census. Compare it against this mark to place your cover.

Conjeveram HG 2handstampBlack1840–1855

View all Conjeveram marks and postal history →

About this Conjeveram pre stamp cover

COV-637 is a Conjeveram pre stamp cover of 1816 bearing the Conjeveram HG 1 handstamp, struck in black, recorded in the census of Conjeveram postal history — the office known today as Kanchipuram, Madras Presidency. What is a pre stamp cover?

"POST PAID/CONJEVERAM" Handstamp (Giles 1). Faint but mostly complete strike.

Its recorded auction history runs through Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries Sale No. 1325 lot 3013 (2025).

1 image of COV-637 is recorded (front); the Conjeveram HG 1 mark itself is recorded in use 1816.

Questions about COV-637

What is COV-637?: COV-637 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Conjeveram, Madras Presidency of 1816, bearing the Conjeveram HG 1 handstamp in black. "POST PAID/CONJEVERAM" Handstamp (Giles 1). Faint but mostly complete strike.
How scarce is the Conjeveram HG 1 mark on this cover?: The census grades Conjeveram HG 1 as rare, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1816.
What is the provenance of COV-637?: Its recorded auction history runs through Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries Sale No. 1325 lot 3013 (2025).
When was COV-637 posted?: COV-637 is dated 1816, within the recorded period of use of Conjeveram HG 1 (1816).

About this record

This 1816 pre stamp cover of British India bears the Conjeveram HG 1 handstamp of the Madras Presidency, a mark graded “Rare” in this census — the only surviving cover with this mark recorded so far. It has appeared at auction with Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries, Sale No. 1325, lot 3013, (2025).