Scan or Photo Courtesy of Grosvenor Auctions
Date
1856
Description
India: 1856 (Jan.) entire letter to Nasukurichi (in Madurai) franked 1/2a., margins very large to very close and tied by an 11-bar lozenge cancellation and a framed “G.P.O.” (Giles MX5) datestamp with framed “MADRAS” datestamp (Giles 19, in black in error for red), framed “AM” delivery mark and most unusually with a very rare large intaglio seal datestamp (this example indistinct) of unknown origin (possibly Nungambakkam) and purpose (as reported ‘India Study Circle New Bulletin (G.B.) March 1965) as used in rural areas and late use of a pre-philatelic mark subsequently replaced. Very unusual example of internal mail. Photo.
Auction
GPA 174: British Empire & Foreign Countries, Lot 1812
Same office
Other recorded marks at Madura
9 marks9 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.
- Madura HG 1handstampBlack1827
- Madura HG 2handstampBlack1829
- Madura HG 3handstampBlack1837-50
- Madura HG 4handstampRed1837–1839
- Madura HG 5handstampRed1839-55
- Madura HG 6handstampBlack1848-49
+3 more at this office.View all Madura marks and postal history →
About this Madura pre stamp cover
COV-5403 is a Madura pre stamp cover of 1856 bearing the Madura HG 8 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?
India: 1856 (Jan.) entire letter to Nasukurichi (in Madurai) franked 1/2a., margins very large to very close and tied by an 11-bar lozenge cancellation and a framed “G.P.O.” (Giles MX5) datestamp with framed “MADRAS” datestamp (Giles 19, in black in error for red), framed “AM” delivery mark and most unusually with a very rare large intaglio seal datestamp (this example indistinct) of unknown origin (possibly Nungambakkam) and purpose (as reported ‘India Study Circle New Bulletin (G.B.) March 1965) as used in rural areas and late use of a pre-philatelic mark subsequently replaced. Very unusual example of internal mail. Photo.
Its recorded auction history runs through Grosvenor Philatelic Auctions GPA 174: British Empire & Foreign Countries lot 1812.
1 image of COV-5403 is recorded; the Madura HG 8 mark itself is recorded in use 1849–1856.
Questions about COV-5403
- What is COV-5403?
- COV-5403 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Madura, Madras Presidency of 1856, bearing the Madura HG 8 handstamp in red. India: 1856 (Jan.) entire letter to Nasukurichi (in Madurai) franked 1/2a., margins very large to very close and tied by an 11-bar lozenge cancellation and a framed “G.P.O.” (Giles MX5) datestamp with framed “MADRAS” datestamp (Giles 19, in black in error for red), framed “AM” delivery mark and most unusually with a very rare large intaglio seal datestamp (this example indistinct) of unknown origin (possibly Nungambakkam) and purpose (as reported ‘India Study Circle New Bulletin (G.B.) March 1965) as used in rural areas and late use of a pre-philatelic mark subsequently replaced. Very unusual example of internal mail. Photo.
- How scarce is the Madura HG 8 mark on this cover?
- The census grades Madura HG 8 as common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1849–1856.
- What is the provenance of COV-5403?
- Its recorded auction history runs through Grosvenor Philatelic Auctions GPA 174: British Empire & Foreign Countries lot 1812.
- When was COV-5403 posted?
- COV-5403 is dated 1856, within the recorded period of use of Madura HG 8 (1849–1856).
About this record
This 1856 pre stamp cover of British India bears the Madura HG 8 handstamp of the Madras Presidency, a mark graded “Common” in this census — one of 4 surviving covers with this mark recorded. It has appeared at auction with Grosvenor Philatelic Auctions, GPA 174: British Empire & Foreign Countries, lot 1812.