How scarce is the Cuddapah HG 5 mark on this cover?

The census grades Cuddapah HG 5 as common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1838–1853.

When was COV-5283 posted?

COV-5283 is dated 23 April 1845, within the recorded period of use of Cuddapah HG 5 (1838–1853).

COV-5283

23 April 1845 Cuddapah Cover

Back to census|Cuddapah HG 5 · 4 covers recorded

← COV-4869

Pre-stamp cover of India — 23 April 1845, Cuddapah HG 5 handstruck folded letter (COV-5283)

Pre-stamp cover of India — Cuddapah HG 5, scan 2 (COV-5283)

Scan or Photo Courtesy of Siegel Auction Galleries

Date

23 April 1845

Description

India, Cuddapah, 1845, "CUDDAPAH/Paid" Framed Handstamp (Giles 5). Bold strike with manuscript "23 April 1845" date and "8 as" rate added on back of folded letter to Madeira, sender's directive "per Overland Mail via Southampton" and further "via Bombay" and "to be forwarded to their island by the first opportunity" , red "INDIA" oval handstamp, also red "No. _/Detained for Postage" handstamp, London (Jun. 9 and Jun. 12) transit datestamps, various manuscript rate markings and "160" handstamp applied on arrival, Very Fine

Auction

Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries

The Magnolia Collection: India Postal History, Part 8 (Sale 9061, 21 October 2026), Lot 10076, (2026)

Same office

Other recorded marks at Cuddapah

6 marks

6 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.

View all Cuddapah marks and postal history →

About this Cuddapah pre stamp cover

COV-5283 is a Cuddapah pre stamp cover of 23 April 1845 bearing the Cuddapah HG 5 handstamp, struck in mauve, recorded in the census of Cuddapah postal history — the office known today as Kadapa, 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 8 (Sale 9061, 21 October 2026) lot 10076 (2026).

2 images of COV-5283 are recorded; the Cuddapah HG 5 mark itself is recorded in use 1838–1853.

Questions about COV-5283

What is COV-5283?: COV-5283 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Cuddapah, Madras Presidency of 23 April 1845, bearing the Cuddapah HG 5 handstamp in mauve. India, Cuddapah, 1845, "CUDDAPAH/Paid" Framed Handstamp (Giles 5). Bold strike with manuscript "23 April 1845" date and "8 as" rate added on back of folded letter to Madeira, sender's directive "per Overland Mail via Southampton" and further "via Bombay" and "to be forwarded to their island by the first opportunity" , red "INDIA" oval handstamp, also red "No. _/Detained for Postage" handstamp, London (Jun. 9 and Jun. 12) transit datestamps, various manuscript rate markings and "160" handstamp applied on arrival, Very Fine
How scarce is the Cuddapah HG 5 mark on this cover?: The census grades Cuddapah HG 5 as common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1838–1853.
What is the provenance of COV-5283?: 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 10076 (2026).
When was COV-5283 posted?: COV-5283 is dated 23 April 1845, within the recorded period of use of Cuddapah HG 5 (1838–1853).

About this record

This 23 April 1845 pre stamp cover of British India bears the Cuddapah HG 5 handstamp of the Madras Presidency, a mark graded “Common” in this census — one of 4 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 10076, (2026).