How scarce is the Ingeram HG 4 mark on this cover?

The census grades Ingeram HG 4 as common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1852.

When was COV-1318 posted?

COV-1318 is dated 8 March 1839, within the recorded period of use of Ingeram HG 4 (1852).

COV-1318

8 March 1839 Ingeram Cover

Back to census|Ingeram HG 4

Pre-stamp cover of India — 8 March 1839, Ingeram HG 4 handstruck folded letter (COV-1318)

Scan or Photo Courtesy of Spink

Date

8 March 1839

Description

Pondicherry: 1839 (8 Mar.) "Service" entire letter to Injeram showing a fine strike of the very rare oval framed "PONDICHERRY/FREE" in red with date in manuscript (HG 9), also a similar strike for Injeram applied over boxed "Paid" handstamp. One of the most important postal history items of the French Settlements.

Auction

Spink

Lot 461

Provenance

Dr. Soli Contractor

Same office

Other recorded marks at Ingeram

4 marks

4 other pre-1854 postal markings of Ingeram are recorded in the census. Compare their figure numbers, dates and colours to identify the mark on your cover.

View all Ingeram marks and postal history →

About this Ingeram pre stamp cover

COV-1318 is an Ingeram pre stamp cover of 8 March 1839 bearing the Ingeram HG 4 handstamp, struck in black, recorded in the census of Ingeram postal history, Madras Presidency. What is a pre stamp cover?

Its recorded auction history runs through Spink lot 461.

1 image of COV-1318 is recorded; the Ingeram HG 4 mark itself is recorded in use 1852.

Questions about COV-1318

What is COV-1318?: COV-1318 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Ingeram, Madras Presidency of 8 March 1839, bearing the Ingeram HG 4 handstamp in black. Pondicherry: 1839 (8 Mar.) "Service" entire letter to Injeram showing a fine strike of the very rare oval framed "PONDICHERRY/FREE" in red with date in manuscript (HG 9), also a similar strike for Injeram applied over boxed "Paid" handstamp. One of the most important postal history items of the French Settlements.
How scarce is the Ingeram HG 4 mark on this cover?: The census grades Ingeram HG 4 as common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1852.
What is the provenance of COV-1318?: Its recorded auction history runs through Spink lot 461.
When was COV-1318 posted?: COV-1318 is dated 8 March 1839, within the recorded period of use of Ingeram HG 4 (1852).

About this record

This 8 March 1839 pre stamp cover of British India bears the Ingeram HG 4 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 Spink, lot 461.