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
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 marks2 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.
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 4 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.