COV-3032
6 February 1857 French Rocks HG 1 Cover
Scan or Photo Courtesy of Siegel Auction Galleries
Date
6 February 1857
Description
India, 1854, 4a Red & Blue, 2nd Printing, Head Die II, Frame Die I (6D; SG 19). Cut to shape, tight to ample margins all around, tied by blue "C/13" cancel on cover to Dublin, Ireland, sender's directive "Per Steamer from Madras via Southampton", clear strike of red "FRENCH ROCKS, Paid" despatch handstamp (Giles 1) with manuscript "6-2-57" date added, red crescent "INDIA PAID" handstamp, red Madras (Feb. 9) and London (Mar. 20) transit and Dublin (Mar. 21) arrival datestamps, minor hinge reinforced tears on flap VERY FINE. A RARE USE OF THE 4-ANNAS LITHOGRAPH SECOND PRINTING ON COVER WITH THE BLUE "C/13" CANCEL OF FRENCH ROCKS TO IRELAND. Colored cancels of the Madras Circle "C" cancels (Cooper Ty. 6) are quite rare, particularly so on cover.
Auction
The Magnolia Collection: India Stamps and Postal History, Part 5, Lot 145, (09/30/2025)
Same office
Other recorded marks at French Rocks
1 markOne other pre-1854 postal marking of French Rocks is recorded in the census. Compare it against this mark to place your cover.
About this record
This 6 February 1857 pre stamp cover of British India bears the French Rocks HG 1 handstamp of the Madras Presidency, a mark graded “Common” in this census — one of 6 surviving covers with this mark recorded. It has appeared at auction with Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries, The Magnolia Collection: India Stamps and Postal History, Part 5, lot 145, (09/30/2025).