How scarce is the Kurnal (Mad) HG 2 mark on this cover?

The census grades Kurnal (Mad) HG 2 as common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1840–1855.

When was COV-4793 posted?

COV-4793 is dated 1855, within the recorded period of use of Kurnal (Mad) HG 2 (1840–1855).

COV-4793

1855 Kurnal (Mad) HG 2 Cover

Back to census|Kurnal (Mad) HG 2 · 3 covers recorded

← COV-4011

1855 Kurnal (Mad) HG 2 pre stamp cover — COV-4793 — front

Kurnal (Mad) HG 2 pre stamp cover — back (COV-4793) — back

Scan or Photo Courtesy of Cavendish Philatelic Auctions Ltd

Date

1855

Description

TO G.B. - ½a PAIR ON COVER EX "KURNOOL" VIA "MADRAS & SOUTHAMPTON" CHARGED "1/-" ON DELIVERY; 7 Feb. 1855 env. (slight wrinkles and some edge wear) from Kurnaul to Scotland "[Via] Southampton - Paid to Madras" with ½a Blue Pair (good 4m but touched at bottom left) tied by fine dotted diamonds with fine red boxed "KURNOOL/Paid" ms-dated mark (H. Giles Type 2; only recorded 1840-52 previously) on flap (closed tear) and having a London hs "1/-" (packet Rate) charge-mark on the front. Scarce thus.

Auction

Cavendish Philatelic Auctions Ltd

The Michael Caswell Collection of 19th Century India Postal History & Stamps Auction, Lot 1029, (13 May 2025)

Provenance

Michael Caswell

Same office

Other recorded marks at Kurnal (Mad)

3 marks

3 other pre-1854 postal markings of Kurnal (Mad) are recorded in the census. Compare their figure numbers, dates and colours to identify the mark on your cover.

View all Kurnal (Mad) marks and postal history →

About this Kurnal (Mad) pre stamp cover

COV-4793 is a Kurnal (Mad) pre stamp cover of 1855 bearing the Kurnal (Mad) HG 2 handstamp, struck in red, recorded in the census of Kurnal (Mad) postal history — the office known today as Kurnool, Madras Presidency. What is a pre stamp cover?

Its recorded auction history runs through Cavendish Philatelic Auctions Ltd The Michael Caswell Collection of 19th Century India Postal History & Stamps Auction lot 1029 (13 May 2025).

2 images of COV-4793 are recorded (front, back); the Kurnal (Mad) HG 2 mark itself is recorded in use 1840–1855.

Questions about COV-4793

What is COV-4793?: COV-4793 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Kurnal (Mad), Madras Presidency of 1855, bearing the Kurnal (Mad) HG 2 handstamp in red. TO G.B. - ½a PAIR ON COVER EX "KURNOOL" VIA "MADRAS & SOUTHAMPTON" CHARGED "1/-" ON DELIVERY; 7 Feb. 1855 env. (slight wrinkles and some edge wear) from Kurnaul to Scotland "[Via] Southampton - Paid to Madras" with ½a Blue Pair (good 4m but touched at bottom left) tied by fine dotted diamonds with fine red boxed "KURNOOL/Paid" ms-dated mark (H. Giles Type 2; only recorded 1840-52 previously) on flap (closed tear) and having a London hs "1/-" (packet Rate) charge-mark on the front. Scarce thus.
How scarce is the Kurnal (Mad) HG 2 mark on this cover?: The census grades Kurnal (Mad) HG 2 as common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1840–1855.
What is the provenance of COV-4793?: Its recorded auction history runs through Cavendish Philatelic Auctions Ltd The Michael Caswell Collection of 19th Century India Postal History & Stamps Auction lot 1029 (13 May 2025).
When was COV-4793 posted?: COV-4793 is dated 1855, within the recorded period of use of Kurnal (Mad) HG 2 (1840–1855).

About this record

This 1855 pre stamp cover of British India bears the Kurnal (Mad) HG 2 handstamp of the Madras Presidency, a mark graded “Common” in this census — one of 3 surviving covers with this mark recorded. It has appeared at auction with Cavendish Philatelic Auctions Ltd, The Michael Caswell Collection of 19th Century India Postal History & Stamps Auction, lot 1029, (13 May 2025).