How scarce is the Mercara HG 1 mark on this cover?

The census grades Mercara HG 1 as common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1838–1857.

When was COV-3302 posted?

COV-3302 is dated 18 October 1854, within the recorded period of use of Mercara HG 1 (1838–1857).

COV-3302

18 October 1854 Mercara Cover

Back to census|Mercara HG 1 · 5 covers recorded

← COV-2675 COV-4288 →

Pre-stamp cover of India — 18 October 1854, Mercara HG 1 handstruck folded letter (COV-3302) — front

Pre-stamp cover of India — Mercara HG 1, back (COV-3302) — back

Scan or Photo Courtesy of Siegel Auction Galleries

Date

18 October 1854

Description

INDIA, 1854, ½a Blue, Die I (2; SG 4). Large to full margins, tied by diamond of dots cancel on cover to Cheltenham, England, sender's directive "Overland via Marseilles", red framed Mercara Paid handstamp (Giles 1) with "18-10-54" (Oct. 18, 1854) date added, Calcutta (Oct. 2?) and London (Nov. 28) transit and Cheltenham (Nov. 29) arrival backstamps, manuscript "1/10" rate marking, Extremely Fine, a scarce use of the ½a Lithograph used during the first month, the ½a paid the inland rate with packet postage unpaid, ex Dr. Kornan

Auction

Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries

Sale 1301 - The Magnolia Collection: India Postal History and Stamps Used Abroad, Part 2, Lot 6075

Provenance

Dr. Kornan Magnolia

Same office

Other recorded marks at Mercara

2 marks

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

View all Mercara marks and postal history →

About this Mercara pre stamp cover

COV-3302 is a Mercara pre stamp cover of 18 October 1854 bearing the Mercara HG 1 handstamp, struck in red, recorded in the census of Mercara postal history — the office known today as Madikeri, Madras Presidency. What is a pre stamp cover?

Its recorded auction history runs through Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries Sale 1301 - The Magnolia Collection: India Postal History and Stamps Used Abroad, Part 2 lot 6075.

2 images of COV-3302 are recorded (front, back); the Mercara HG 1 mark itself is recorded in use 1838–1857.

Questions about COV-3302

What is COV-3302?: COV-3302 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Mercara, Madras Presidency of 18 October 1854, bearing the Mercara HG 1 handstamp in red. INDIA, 1854, ½a Blue, Die I (2; SG 4). Large to full margins, tied by diamond of dots cancel on cover to Cheltenham, England, sender's directive "Overland via Marseilles", red framed Mercara Paid handstamp (Giles 1) with "18-10-54" (Oct. 18, 1854) date added, Calcutta (Oct. 2?) and London (Nov. 28) transit and Cheltenham (Nov. 29) arrival backstamps, manuscript "1/10" rate marking, Extremely Fine, a scarce use of the ½a Lithograph used during the first month, the ½a paid the inland rate with packet postage unpaid, ex Dr. Kornan
How scarce is the Mercara HG 1 mark on this cover?: The census grades Mercara HG 1 as common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1838–1857.
What is the provenance of COV-3302?: Its recorded auction history runs through Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries Sale 1301 - The Magnolia Collection: India Postal History and Stamps Used Abroad, Part 2 lot 6075.
When was COV-3302 posted?: COV-3302 is dated 18 October 1854, within the recorded period of use of Mercara HG 1 (1838–1857).

About this record

This 18 October 1854 pre stamp cover of British India bears the Mercara HG 1 handstamp of the Madras Presidency, a mark graded “Common” in this census — one of 5 surviving covers with this mark recorded. It has appeared at auction with Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries, Sale 1301 - The Magnolia Collection: India Postal History and Stamps Used Abroad, Part 2, lot 6075.