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

The census grades Madras HG 5 as rare, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1799–1800.

When was COV-1903 posted?

COV-1903 is dated 8 March 1800, within the recorded period of use of Madras HG 5 (1799–1800).

COV-1903

8 March 1800 Madras Cover

Back to census|Madras HG 5 · 4 covers recorded

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Pre-stamp cover of India — 8 March 1800, Madras HG 5 handstruck folded letter (COV-1903)

Scan or Photo Courtesy of Spink

Date

8 March 1800

Description

x India Early Letters and Handstamps 1800 (7 Mar.) entire (refolded for display) to Salem, marked "Service", showing on reverse almost complete "post paid/service/fort st george" oval-framed h.s. (unlisted by Hammond Giles but similar to HG 5) plus "8" and "Mar" datestamps; some light overall discolouration. Rare.

Auction

Spink

8032 - Stamps & Covers of Asia, Lot 503

Same office

Other recorded marks at Madras

81 marks

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

+75 more at this office.View all Madras marks and postal history →

About this Madras pre stamp cover

COV-1903 is a Madras pre stamp cover of 8 March 1800 bearing the Madras HG 5 handstamp, struck in black, recorded in the census of Madras postal history — the office known today as Chennai, Madras Presidency. What is a pre stamp cover?

Its recorded auction history runs through Spink 8032 - Stamps & Covers of Asia lot 503.

1 image of COV-1903 is recorded; the Madras HG 5 mark itself is recorded in use 1799–1800.

Questions about COV-1903

What is COV-1903?: COV-1903 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Madras, Madras Presidency of 8 March 1800, bearing the Madras HG 5 handstamp in black. x India Early Letters and Handstamps 1800 (7 Mar.) entire (refolded for display) to Salem, marked "Service", showing on reverse almost complete "post paid/service/fort st george" oval-framed h.s. (unlisted by Hammond Giles but similar to HG 5) plus "8" and "Mar" datestamps; some light overall discolouration. Rare.
How scarce is the Madras HG 5 mark on this cover?: The census grades Madras HG 5 as rare, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1799–1800.
What is the provenance of COV-1903?: Its recorded auction history runs through Spink 8032 - Stamps & Covers of Asia lot 503.
When was COV-1903 posted?: COV-1903 is dated 8 March 1800, within the recorded period of use of Madras HG 5 (1799–1800).

About this record

This 8 March 1800 pre stamp cover of British India bears the Madras HG 5 handstamp of the Madras Presidency, a mark graded “Rare” in this census — one of 4 surviving covers with this mark recorded. It has appeared at auction with Spink, 8032 - Stamps & Covers of Asia, lot 503.