Scan or Photo Courtesy of Spink
Date
16 May 1826
Description
Madras: 1826 (16 May) soldier's entire letter to England, countersigned by C.O., the reverse showing fine strike of the red circular "MADRAS/FREE/SOLDIERS LETTER" datestamp (HG SD10) with framed "BELLARY/POST FREE" (HG 3, much assisted), the address panel with faint large circular "INDIA SOLDIER &c/3/PORTSMOUTH"; slight toning and minor perimeter faults, otherwise fine. Photo.
Auction
Provenance
Derek Hammond Giles
Same office
Other recorded marks at Madras
81 marks81 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.
- Madras HG 1handstampBlack1786–1806
- Madras HG 2handstampBlack1788
- Madras HG 3handstampBlack1791–1816
- Madras HG 4handstampBlack1795–1826
- Madras HG 5handstampBlack1799–1800
- Madras HG 6handstampBlack1802–1822
+75 more at this office.View all Madras marks and postal history →
About this Madras pre stamp cover
COV-2046 is a Madras pre stamp cover of 16 May 1826 bearing the Madras SD10 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?
Madras: 1826 (16 May) soldier's entire letter to England, countersigned by C.O., the reverse showing fine strike of the red circular "MADRAS/FREE/SOLDIERS LETTER" datestamp (HG SD10) with framed "BELLARY/POST FREE" (HG 3, much assisted), the address panel with faint large circular "INDIA SOLDIER &c/3/PORTSMOUTH"; slight toning and minor perimeter faults, otherwise fine. Photo.
Its recorded auction history runs through Spink lot 310 (Oct. 2000).
1 image of COV-2046 is recorded; the Madras SD10 mark itself is recorded in use 1822–1836.
Questions about COV-2046
- What is COV-2046?
- COV-2046 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Madras, Madras Presidency of 16 May 1826, bearing the Madras SD10 handstamp in red. Madras: 1826 (16 May) soldier's entire letter to England, countersigned by C.O., the reverse showing fine strike of the red circular "MADRAS/FREE/SOLDIERS LETTER" datestamp (HG SD10) with framed "BELLARY/POST FREE" (HG 3, much assisted), the address panel with faint large circular "INDIA SOLDIER &c/3/PORTSMOUTH"; slight toning and minor perimeter faults, otherwise fine. Photo.
- How scarce is the Madras SD10 mark on this cover?
- The census grades Madras SD10 as common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1822–1836.
- What is the provenance of COV-2046?
- Its recorded auction history runs through Spink lot 310 (Oct. 2000).
- When was COV-2046 posted?
- COV-2046 is dated 16 May 1826, within the recorded period of use of Madras SD10 (1822–1836).
About this record
This 16 May 1826 pre stamp cover of British India bears the Madras SD10 handstamp of the Madras Presidency, a mark graded “Common” in this census — one of 10 surviving covers with this mark recorded. It has appeared at auction with Spink, lot 310, (Oct. 2000).