Scan or Photo Courtesy of Spink
Date
15 July 1818
Description
Madras: 1818 (15 July) entire letter written by Brigadier Arthur Molesworth at Colombo to Rev. Edward Lewton, East India College, Hertford "Per Wellington", rated in total "8/-" and showing Madras framed "UNPAID" (HG SD3), oval "PACKET LETTER" datestamp (HG SD5) and London arrival c.d.s. An exceptional item from this short-lived Rebellion written by the commander of the Madras troops. Contents of letter: An interesting and detailed account of the Rebellion and other affairs in which the writer berates his ill fortune at having to return to Ceylon (he was involved in the 1797-98 Expedition). He recounts "The Rebellion on Ceylon having baffled the attempts of that Government to quell it, assistance was sent for"... and alluding to Guerilla warfare "Our troops seldom see their enemy, but are knocked down as they pass through the country in all directions... Sometimes they do capture a few of the Natives who are not generally hanged..." Also contains interesting information relating to postal routes and letter carrying vessels.
Auction
Provenance
Dr. Soli Contractor
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-1257 is a Madras pre stamp cover of 15 July 1818 bearing the Madras SD5 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?
Madras: 1818 (15 July) entire letter written by Brigadier Arthur Molesworth at Colombo to Rev. Edward Lewton, East India College, Hertford "Per Wellington", rated in total "8/-" and showing Madras framed "UNPAID" (HG SD3), oval "PACKET LETTER" datestamp (HG SD5) and London arrival c.d.s. An exceptional item from this short-lived Rebellion written by the commander of the Madras troops. Contents of letter: An interesting and detailed account of the Rebellion and other affairs in which the writer berates his ill fortune at having to return to Ceylon (he was involved in the 1797-98 Expedition). He recounts "The Rebellion on Ceylon having baffled the attempts of that Government to quell it, assistance was sent for"... and alluding to Guerilla warfare "Our troops seldom see their enemy, but are knocked down as they pass through the country in all directions... Sometimes they do capture a few of the Natives who are not generally hanged..." Also contains interesting information relating to postal routes and letter carrying vessels.
Its recorded auction history runs through Spink lot 304.
1 image of COV-1257 is recorded; the Madras SD5 mark itself is recorded in use 1816–1819.
Questions about COV-1257
- What is COV-1257?
- COV-1257 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Madras, Madras Presidency of 15 July 1818, bearing the Madras SD5 handstamp in black. Madras: 1818 (15 July) entire letter written by Brigadier Arthur Molesworth at Colombo to Rev. Edward Lewton, East India College, Hertford "Per Wellington", rated in total "8/-" and showing Madras framed "UNPAID" (HG SD3), oval "PACKET LETTER" datestamp (HG SD5) and London arrival c.d.s. An exceptional item from this short-lived Rebellion written by the commander of the Madras troops. Contents of letter: An interesting and detailed account of the Rebellion and other affairs in which the writer berates his ill fortune at having to return to Ceylon (he was involved in the 1797-98 Expedition). He recounts "The Rebellion on Ceylon having baffled the attempts of that Government to quell it, assistance was sent for"... and alluding to Guerilla warfare "Our troops seldom see their enemy, but are knocked down as they pass through the country in all directions... Sometimes they do capture a few of the Natives who are not generally hanged..." Also contains interesting information relating to postal routes and letter carrying vessels.
- How scarce is the Madras SD5 mark on this cover?
- The census grades Madras SD5 as common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1816–1819.
- What is the provenance of COV-1257?
- Its recorded auction history runs through Spink lot 304.
- When was COV-1257 posted?
- COV-1257 is dated 15 July 1818, within the recorded period of use of Madras SD5 (1816–1819).
About this record
This 15 July 1818 pre stamp cover of British India bears the Madras SD5 handstamp of the Madras Presidency, a mark graded “Common” in this census — one of 20 surviving covers with this mark recorded. It has appeared at auction with Spink, lot 304.