COV-3910 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Masulipatam, Madras Presidency of 1855, bearing the Masulipatam HG 12 handstamp in black. India 1855 prestamp cover from England, addressed to Masulipatam (UNRECORDED marking by Giles), via Southampton & Madras

How scarce is the Masulipatam HG 12 mark on this cover?

The census grades Masulipatam HG 12 as very scarce, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1838–1855.

When was COV-3910 posted?

COV-3910 is dated 1855, within the recorded period of use of Masulipatam HG 12 (1838–1855).

COV-3910

1855 Masulipatam Cover

Back to census|Masulipatam HG 12 · 2 covers recorded

COV-4523 →

Pre-stamp cover of India — 1855, Masulipatam HG 12 handstruck folded letter (COV-3910)

Pre-stamp cover of India — Masulipatam HG 12, scan 2 (COV-3910)

Scan or Photo Courtesy of Sephils

Date

1855

Description

India 1855 prestamp cover from England, addressed to Masulipatam (UNRECORDED marking by Giles), via Southampton & Madras

Auction

Sephils

150, Lot 0088, (2025)

Same office

Other recorded marks at Masulipatam

12 marks

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

+6 more at this office.View all Masulipatam marks and postal history →

About this Masulipatam pre stamp cover

COV-3910 is a Masulipatam pre stamp cover of 1855 bearing the Masulipatam HG 12 handstamp, struck in black, recorded in the census of Masulipatam postal history — the office known today as Machilipatnam, Madras Presidency. What is a pre stamp cover?

India 1855 prestamp cover from England, addressed to Masulipatam (UNRECORDED marking by Giles), via Southampton & Madras

Its recorded auction history runs through Sephils 150 lot 0088 (2025).

2 images of COV-3910 are recorded; the Masulipatam HG 12 mark itself is recorded in use 1838–1855.

Questions about COV-3910

What is COV-3910?: COV-3910 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Masulipatam, Madras Presidency of 1855, bearing the Masulipatam HG 12 handstamp in black. India 1855 prestamp cover from England, addressed to Masulipatam (UNRECORDED marking by Giles), via Southampton & Madras
How scarce is the Masulipatam HG 12 mark on this cover?: The census grades Masulipatam HG 12 as very scarce, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1838–1855.
What is the provenance of COV-3910?: Its recorded auction history runs through Sephils 150 lot 0088 (2025).
When was COV-3910 posted?: COV-3910 is dated 1855, within the recorded period of use of Masulipatam HG 12 (1838–1855).

About this record

This 1855 pre stamp cover of British India bears the Masulipatam HG 12 handstamp of the Madras Presidency, a mark graded “Very scarce” in this census — one of 2 surviving covers with this mark recorded. It has appeared at auction with Sephils, 150, lot 0088, (2025).