How scarce is the Cumbum HG 2 mark on this cover?

The census grades Cumbum HG 2 as common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1840.

When was COV-398 posted?

COV-398 is dated 19 March 1840, within the recorded period of use of Cumbum HG 2 (1840).

COV-398

19 March 1840 Cumbum Cover

Back to census|Cumbum HG 2

Pre-stamp cover of India — 19 March 1840, Cumbum HG 2 handstruck folded letter (COV-398) — front

Pre-stamp cover of India — Cumbum HG 2, back (COV-398) — back

Scan or Photo Courtesy of Siegel Auction Galleries

Date

19 March 1840

Description

India, Cumbum, 1840, "CUMBUM/Paid" Framed Handstamp (Giles 2). Faint but legible strike in red with manuscript "19 March 1840" date and "8 As Double to Bombay" rate added on back of long folded letter to Devon, forwarded to Bideford, sender's directive "Pr Steamer via Marseilles to England" , red "INDIA" oval handstamp, London (May 8) transit backstamp, manuscript "2/8" rate marking, letter with fascinating contents (fully transcribed) which highlights current events and potential issues arising from the "unsettled state of the Frontiers" , Burma, Afghanistan, China, and even Egypt, Very Fine

Auction

Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries

Sale 9042, Lot 10059, — The Magnolia Collection Part 6

Same office

Other recorded marks at Cumbum

1 mark

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

Cumbum HG 1handstampBlack1816

View all Cumbum marks and postal history →

About this Cumbum pre stamp cover

COV-398 is a Cumbum pre stamp cover of 19 March 1840 bearing the Cumbum HG 2 handstamp, struck in red, recorded in the census of Cumbum postal history, Madras Presidency. What is a pre stamp cover?

Its recorded auction history runs through Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries Sale 9042 lot 10059.

2 images of COV-398 are recorded (front, back); the Cumbum HG 2 mark itself is recorded in use 1840.

Questions about COV-398

What is COV-398?: COV-398 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Cumbum, Madras Presidency of 19 March 1840, bearing the Cumbum HG 2 handstamp in red. India, Cumbum, 1840, "CUMBUM/Paid" Framed Handstamp (Giles 2). Faint but legible strike in red with manuscript "19 March 1840" date and "8 As Double to Bombay" rate added on back of long folded letter to Devon, forwarded to Bideford, sender's directive "Pr Steamer via Marseilles to England" , red "INDIA" oval handstamp, London (May 8) transit backstamp, manuscript "2/8" rate marking, letter with fascinating contents (fully transcribed) which highlights current events and potential issues arising from the "unsettled state of the Frontiers" , Burma, Afghanistan, China, and even Egypt, Very Fine
How scarce is the Cumbum HG 2 mark on this cover?: The census grades Cumbum HG 2 as common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1840.
What is the provenance of COV-398?: Its recorded auction history runs through Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries Sale 9042 lot 10059.
When was COV-398 posted?: COV-398 is dated 19 March 1840, within the recorded period of use of Cumbum HG 2 (1840).

About this record

This 19 March 1840 pre stamp cover of British India bears the Cumbum HG 2 handstamp of the Madras Presidency, a mark graded “Common” 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 9042, lot 10059.