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Hand Struck Stamps

COV-2100

5 October 1817 Madras Cover

Back to census|Madras MX1 · 16 covers recorded
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Pre-stamp cover of India — 5 October 1817, Madras MX1 handstruck folded letter (COV-2100)

Scan or Photo Courtesy of Cavendish Philatelic Auctions Ltd

Date

5 October 1817

Description

COLOMBO - PREPAID COVER TO INDIA SENT ON TO G.B. AS AN UNPAID “MADRAS/PACKET LETTER”; 22 Sept. 1817 E to London sent “Via Madras [from] Colombo” with a mainly fine claret-purple “COLOMBO/POST PAID” on the front endorsed “Pt. Pd. 60 fan[am]s.” and so charged “1oz 14/-” (quadruple 3s-6d rate) with very fine framed Madras “UNPAID” and matching oval “GPO” d.s. (5 Oct.) and fair to very fine oval “MADRAS/PACKET LETTER” d.s. (HG SD5; 5 Oct.) also on the front. Rare example of Ceylon Packet mail having to be routed via Madras. Exhibition item. PHOTO

Auction

Cavendish Philatelic Auctions LtdCavendish Philatelic Auctions Ltd

Lot 19, (Sept. 2015)

Provenance

Michael Manning

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-2100 is a Madras pre stamp cover of 5 October 1817 bearing the Madras MX1 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?

COLOMBO - PREPAID COVER TO INDIA SENT ON TO G.B. AS AN UNPAID “MADRAS/PACKET LETTER”; 22 Sept. 1817 E to London sent “Via Madras [from] Colombo” with a mainly fine claret-purple “COLOMBO/POST PAID” on the front endorsed “Pt. Pd. 60 fan[am]s.” and so charged “1oz 14/-” (quadruple 3s-6d rate) with very fine framed Madras “UNPAID” and matching oval “GPO” d.s. (5 Oct.) and fair to very fine oval “MADRAS/PACKET LETTER” d.s. (HG SD5; 5 Oct.) also on the front. Rare example of Ceylon Packet mail having to be routed via Madras. Exhibition item. PHOTO

Its recorded auction history runs through Cavendish Philatelic Auctions Ltd lot 19 (Sept. 2015).

1 image of COV-2100 is recorded; the Madras MX1 mark itself is recorded in use 1817–1819.

Questions about COV-2100

What is COV-2100?
COV-2100 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Madras, Madras Presidency of 5 October 1817, bearing the Madras MX1 handstamp in black. COLOMBO - PREPAID COVER TO INDIA SENT ON TO G.B. AS AN UNPAID “MADRAS/PACKET LETTER”; 22 Sept. 1817 E to London sent “Via Madras [from] Colombo” with a mainly fine claret-purple “COLOMBO/POST PAID” on the front endorsed “Pt. Pd. 60 fan[am]s.” and so charged “1oz 14/-” (quadruple 3s-6d rate) with very fine framed Madras “UNPAID” and matching oval “GPO” d.s. (5 Oct.) and fair to very fine oval “MADRAS/PACKET LETTER” d.s. (HG SD5; 5 Oct.) also on the front. Rare example of Ceylon Packet mail having to be routed via Madras. Exhibition item. PHOTO
How scarce is the Madras MX1 mark on this cover?
The census grades Madras MX1 as common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1817–1819.
What is the provenance of COV-2100?
Its recorded auction history runs through Cavendish Philatelic Auctions Ltd lot 19 (Sept. 2015).
When was COV-2100 posted?
COV-2100 is dated 5 October 1817, within the recorded period of use of Madras MX1 (1817–1819).

About this record

This 5 October 1817 pre stamp cover of British India bears the Madras MX1 handstamp of the Madras Presidency, a mark graded “Common” in this census — one of 16 surviving covers with this mark recorded. It has appeared at auction with Cavendish Philatelic Auctions Ltd, lot 19, (Sept. 2015).