How scarce is the Madura HG 4 mark on this cover?

The census grades Madura HG 4 as common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1837–1839.

When was COV-5353 posted?

COV-5353 is dated 1854, within the recorded period of use of Madura HG 4 (1837–1839).

COV-5353

1854 Madura Cover

Back to census|Madura HG 4 · 2 covers recorded

Pre-stamp cover of India — 1854, Madura HG 4 handstruck folded letter (COV-5353)

Pre-stamp cover of India — Madura HG 4, front (COV-5353) — front

Scan or Photo Courtesy of Siegel Auction Galleries

Date

1854

Description

India, Covilputy, 1854, "COVILPUTY/FREE" Oval Handstamp (Giles 3). Clear strike in red with manuscript "7-2-54" date added on back of large sized gold-gilded and embossed Valentine's cover to Madura, manuscript "Service" along top, Madura Free (Feb. 8, Giles 7) arrival backstamp, cover with several flaws, particularly along edges, and several minor toned spots, Fine, a spectacular Valentine's cover which is extremely rare from India, also the Covilputy "Free" postal marking is particularly noteworthy

Auction

Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries

The Magnolia Collection: India Postal History, Part 8 (Sale 9061, 21 October 2026), Lot 10074, (2026)

Same office

Other recorded marks at Madura

9 marks

9 other pre-1854 postal markings of Madura are recorded in the census. Compare their figure numbers, dates and colours to identify the mark on your cover.

+3 more at this office.View all Madura marks and postal history →

About this Madura pre stamp cover

COV-5353 is a Madura pre stamp cover of 1854 bearing the Madura HG 4 handstamp, struck in red, recorded in the census of Madura postal history — the office known today as Madurai, Madras Presidency. What is a pre stamp cover?

Its recorded auction history runs through Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries The Magnolia Collection: India Postal History, Part 8 (Sale 9061, 21 October 2026) lot 10074 (2026).

4 images of COV-5353 are recorded (front); the Madura HG 4 mark itself is recorded in use 1837–1839.

Questions about COV-5353

What is COV-5353?: COV-5353 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Madura, Madras Presidency of 1854, bearing the Madura HG 4 handstamp in red. India, Covilputy, 1854, "COVILPUTY/FREE" Oval Handstamp (Giles 3). Clear strike in red with manuscript "7-2-54" date added on back of large sized gold-gilded and embossed Valentine's cover to Madura, manuscript "Service" along top, Madura Free (Feb. 8, Giles 7) arrival backstamp, cover with several flaws, particularly along edges, and several minor toned spots, Fine, a spectacular Valentine's cover which is extremely rare from India, also the Covilputy "Free" postal marking is particularly noteworthy
How scarce is the Madura HG 4 mark on this cover?: The census grades Madura HG 4 as common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1837–1839.
What is the provenance of COV-5353?: Its recorded auction history runs through Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries The Magnolia Collection: India Postal History, Part 8 (Sale 9061, 21 October 2026) lot 10074 (2026).
When was COV-5353 posted?: COV-5353 is dated 1854, within the recorded period of use of Madura HG 4 (1837–1839).

About this record

This 1854 pre stamp cover of British India bears the Madura HG 4 handstamp of the Madras Presidency, a mark graded “Common” in this census — one of 2 surviving covers with this mark recorded. It has appeared at auction with Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries, The Magnolia Collection: India Postal History, Part 8 (Sale 9061, 21 October 2026), lot 10074, (2026).