COV-660 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Masulipatam, Madras Presidency of 28 August 1819, bearing the Masulipatam HG 3 handstamp in black. "MASULIPATAM Post Paid" Handstamp (Giles 3). Clear strike on back of folded letter.

How scarce is the Masulipatam HG 3 mark on this cover?

The census grades Masulipatam HG 3 as rare, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1817–1819.

When was COV-660 posted?

COV-660 is dated 28 August 1819, within the recorded period of use of Masulipatam HG 3 (1817–1819).

COV-660

28 August 1819 Masulipatam Cover

Back to census|Masulipatam HG 3 · 3 covers recorded

COV-2638 →

Pre-stamp cover of India — 28 August 1819, Masulipatam HG 3 handstruck folded letter (COV-660) — front

Pre-stamp cover of India — Masulipatam HG 3, back (COV-660) — back

Scan or Photo Courtesy of Siegel Auction Galleries

Date

28 August 1819

Description

"MASULIPATAM Post Paid" Handstamp (Giles 3). Clear strike on back of folded letter.

Auction

Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries

Sale No. 1325, Lot 3035, (2025)

Provenance

•2025, Robert A. Siegel Sale No. 1325, Lot 3035

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-660 is a Masulipatam pre stamp cover of 28 August 1819 bearing the Masulipatam HG 3 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?

"MASULIPATAM Post Paid" Handstamp (Giles 3). Clear strike on back of folded letter.

Its recorded auction history runs through Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries Sale No. 1325 lot 3035 (2025).

2 images of COV-660 are recorded (front, back); the Masulipatam HG 3 mark itself is recorded in use 1817–1819.

Questions about COV-660

What is COV-660?: COV-660 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Masulipatam, Madras Presidency of 28 August 1819, bearing the Masulipatam HG 3 handstamp in black. "MASULIPATAM Post Paid" Handstamp (Giles 3). Clear strike on back of folded letter.
How scarce is the Masulipatam HG 3 mark on this cover?: The census grades Masulipatam HG 3 as rare, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1817–1819.
What is the provenance of COV-660?: Its recorded auction history runs through Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries Sale No. 1325 lot 3035 (2025).
When was COV-660 posted?: COV-660 is dated 28 August 1819, within the recorded period of use of Masulipatam HG 3 (1817–1819).

About this record

This 28 August 1819 pre stamp cover of British India bears the Masulipatam HG 3 handstamp of the Madras Presidency, a mark graded “Rare” in this census — one of 3 surviving covers with this mark recorded. It has appeared at auction with Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries, Sale No. 1325, lot 3035, (2025).