How scarce is the Madras MX17 mark on this cover?

The census grades Madras MX17 as very common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1837–1856.

When was COV-525 posted?

COV-525 is dated 15 November 1845, within the recorded period of use of Madras MX17 (1837–1856).

COV-525

15 November 1845 Madras Cover

Back to census|Madras MX17 · 5 covers recorded

Pre-stamp cover of India — 15 November 1845, Madras MX17 handstruck folded letter (COV-525) — front

Pre-stamp cover of India — Madras MX17, scan 2 (COV-525)

Pre-stamp cover of India — Madras MX17, back (COV-525) — back

Scan or Photo Courtesy of Gowtham BJ

Date

15 November 1845

Description

Indian Post Office 1845 (Nov 15): Small envelope from Nepal to a Capt. Marshall of the Madras Native Infantry in Wallajabad and sent on to Madras, struck on the reverse with fine strike of rectangular framed "NEPAUL / Paid" manuscript rated "1 rupee" and manuscript dated ("15th Nov 45") handstamp in magenta. Two boxed Wallajabad datestamps (Dec 4) of arrival (one 'Paid' one 'Bearing') alongside. Just nine examples of this handstamp are recorded from the pre-philatelic period. Arricator in red but a remarkable and extremely rare cover.rnProvenance: Illustrated in "India Used Abroad" by J.A.L. Cooper (1972) on page 62 Illustrated in "India Used Abroad" by (Vispi S. Dastur) on page 107.

Auction

Corinphila Auctions

Auction 298-307, Lot 1209, (2023)

Provenance

Corinphila Ex Jal Cooper

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-525 is a Madras pre stamp cover of 15 November 1845 bearing the Madras MX17 handstamp, struck in red, 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 Corinphila Auctions Auction 298-307 lot 1209 (2023).

3 images of COV-525 are recorded (front, back); the Madras MX17 mark itself is recorded in use 1837–1856.

Questions about COV-525

What is COV-525?: COV-525 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Madras, Madras Presidency of 15 November 1845, bearing the Madras MX17 handstamp in red. Indian Post Office 1845 (Nov 15): Small envelope from Nepal to a Capt. Marshall of the Madras Native Infantry in Wallajabad and sent on to Madras, struck on the reverse with fine strike of rectangular framed "NEPAUL / Paid" manuscript rated "1 rupee" and manuscript dated ("15th Nov 45") handstamp in magenta. Two boxed Wallajabad datestamps (Dec 4) of arrival (one 'Paid' one 'Bearing') alongside. Just nine examples of this handstamp are recorded from the pre-philatelic period. Arricator in red but a remarkable and extremely rare cover.rnProvenance: Illustrated in "India Used Abroad" by J.A.L. Cooper (1972) on page 62 Illustrated in "India Used Abroad" by (Vispi S. Dastur) on page 107.
How scarce is the Madras MX17 mark on this cover?: The census grades Madras MX17 as very common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1837–1856.
What is the provenance of COV-525?: Its recorded auction history runs through Corinphila Auctions Auction 298-307 lot 1209 (2023).
When was COV-525 posted?: COV-525 is dated 15 November 1845, within the recorded period of use of Madras MX17 (1837–1856).

About this record

This 15 November 1845 pre stamp cover of British India bears the Madras MX17 handstamp of the Madras Presidency, a mark graded “Very common” in this census — one of 5 surviving covers with this mark recorded. It has appeared at auction with Corinphila Auctions, Auction 298-307, lot 1209, (2023).