Scan or Photo Courtesy of David Feldman Auctions
Date
3 February 1821
Description
1821 (Feb 3) Entire letter from Hyderabad via Madras to London, showing “HYDERABAD/POST PAID.” postmark with manuscript dating inserted on reverse. Madras transit and ship letter datestamp on front. Arrival London July 21 with rectangular framed “INDIA LETTER/LONDON” and 1s charge in manuscript. The earliest recorded use of the rectangular “HYDERABAD / POST PAID.” according to the exhibitor, this being the second postmark used by the British in Hyderabad. Very fine and well-struck postmarks on folded entire that opens up well for display.
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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-886 is a Madras pre stamp cover of 3 February 1821 bearing the Madras SD8 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?
1821 (Feb 3) Entire letter from Hyderabad via Madras to London, showing “HYDERABAD/POST PAID.” postmark with manuscript dating inserted on reverse. Madras transit and ship letter datestamp on front. Arrival London July 21 with rectangular framed “INDIA LETTER/LONDON” and 1s charge in manuscript. The earliest recorded use of the rectangular “HYDERABAD / POST PAID.” according to the exhibitor, this being the second postmark used by the British in Hyderabad. Very fine and well-struck postmarks on folded entire that opens up well for display.
Its recorded auction history runs through David Feldman lot 30400.
2 images of COV-886 are recorded; the Madras SD8 mark itself is recorded in use 1820–1833.
Questions about COV-886
- What is COV-886?
- COV-886 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Madras, Madras Presidency of 3 February 1821, bearing the Madras SD8 handstamp in black. 1821 (Feb 3) Entire letter from Hyderabad via Madras to London, showing “HYDERABAD/POST PAID.” postmark with manuscript dating inserted on reverse. Madras transit and ship letter datestamp on front. Arrival London July 21 with rectangular framed “INDIA LETTER/LONDON” and 1s charge in manuscript. The earliest recorded use of the rectangular “HYDERABAD / POST PAID.” according to the exhibitor, this being the second postmark used by the British in Hyderabad. Very fine and well-struck postmarks on folded entire that opens up well for display.
- How scarce is the Madras SD8 mark on this cover?
- The census grades Madras SD8 as very common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1820–1833.
- What is the provenance of COV-886?
- Its recorded auction history runs through David Feldman lot 30400.
- When was COV-886 posted?
- COV-886 is dated 3 February 1821, within the recorded period of use of Madras SD8 (1820–1833).
About this record
This 3 February 1821 pre stamp cover of British India bears the Madras SD8 handstamp of the Madras Presidency, a mark graded “Very common” in this census — one of 26 surviving covers with this mark recorded. It has appeared at auction with David Feldman, lot 30400.