Scan or Photo Courtesy of Siegel Auction Galleries
Date
14 February 1824
Description
India, Cuddapah, 1824, "CUDDAPAH/POST PAID" Oval Handstamp (Giles 3). Exceptionally bold though slightly blurry strike in magenta on folded letter datelined "Cuddapah 14th February 1824", addressed to Elgin, Scotland, sender's directive "per the Moira or first ship to sail" , framed "INDIA LETTER/PENZANCE" handstamp (Robertson In. 1), Madras (Feb. 16) and London (Jul. 31) transit and Aug. 2 arrival backstamps, framed "1/2" handstamp and manuscript rate markings, cover with minor tape stain at top, Very Fine strike, this is the earliest example we are aware of and dated several years prior to that noted by Giles, particularly desirable with the postal marking on the front of cover
Auction
The Magnolia Collection: India Postal History, Part 8 (Sale 9061, 21 October 2026), Lot 10075, (2026)
Same office
Other recorded marks at Cuddapah
6 marks6 other pre-1854 postal markings of Cuddapah are recorded in the census. Compare their figure numbers, dates and colours to identify the mark on your cover.
About this Cuddapah pre stamp cover
COV-5284 is a Cuddapah pre stamp cover of 14 February 1824 bearing the Cuddapah HG 3 handstamp, struck in magenta, recorded in the census of Cuddapah postal history — the office known today as Kadapa, Madras Presidency. What is a pre stamp cover?
India, Cuddapah, 1824, "CUDDAPAH/POST PAID" Oval Handstamp (Giles 3). Exceptionally bold though slightly blurry strike in magenta on folded letter datelined "Cuddapah 14th February 1824", addressed to Elgin, Scotland, sender's directive "per the Moira or first ship to sail" , framed "INDIA LETTER/PENZANCE" handstamp (Robertson In. 1), Madras (Feb. 16) and London (Jul. 31) transit and Aug. 2 arrival backstamps, framed "1/2" handstamp and manuscript rate markings, cover with minor tape stain at top, Very Fine strike, this is the earliest example we are aware of and dated several years prior to that noted by Giles, particularly desirable with the postal marking on the front of cover
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 10075 (2026).
2 images of COV-5284 are recorded; the Cuddapah HG 3 mark itself is recorded in use 1824–1837.
Questions about COV-5284
- What is COV-5284?
- COV-5284 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Cuddapah, Madras Presidency of 14 February 1824, bearing the Cuddapah HG 3 handstamp in magenta. India, Cuddapah, 1824, "CUDDAPAH/POST PAID" Oval Handstamp (Giles 3). Exceptionally bold though slightly blurry strike in magenta on folded letter datelined "Cuddapah 14th February 1824", addressed to Elgin, Scotland, sender's directive "per the Moira or first ship to sail" , framed "INDIA LETTER/PENZANCE" handstamp (Robertson In. 1), Madras (Feb. 16) and London (Jul. 31) transit and Aug. 2 arrival backstamps, framed "1/2" handstamp and manuscript rate markings, cover with minor tape stain at top, Very Fine strike, this is the earliest example we are aware of and dated several years prior to that noted by Giles, particularly desirable with the postal marking on the front of cover
- How scarce is the Cuddapah HG 3 mark on this cover?
- The census grades Cuddapah HG 3 as common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1824–1837.
- What is the provenance of COV-5284?
- 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 10075 (2026).
- When was COV-5284 posted?
- COV-5284 is dated 14 February 1824, within the recorded period of use of Cuddapah HG 3 (1824–1837).
About this record
This 14 February 1824 pre stamp cover of British India bears the Cuddapah 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 10075, (2026).