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

The census grades Mercara HG 3 as very scarce, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1838–1852.

When was COV-5362 posted?

COV-5362 is dated 22 May 1852, within the recorded period of use of Mercara HG 3 (1838–1852).

COV-5362

22 May 1852 Mercara Cover

Back to census|Mercara HG 3 · 2 covers recorded

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Pre-stamp cover of India — 22 May 1852, Mercara HG 3 handstruck folded letter (COV-5362)

Pre-stamp cover of India — Mercara HG 3, scan 2 (COV-5362)

Scan or Photo Courtesy of Siegel Auction Galleries

Date

22 May 1852

Description

India, Mercara, 1852, "MERCARA/FREE" Oval Handstamp (Giles 3). Clear strike in red with manuscript "26-5-52" date added and applied on arrival, cover originating in Madras with "MADRAS/1852 MAY 22/FREE" oval despatch datestamp (Giles 21), manuscript "Service" and properly countersigned at bottom left corner, cover with some edgewear, Very Fine, a very scarce postal marking of Mercara

Auction

Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries

The Magnolia Collection: India Postal History, Part 8 (Sale 9061, 21 October 2026), Lot 10102, (2026)

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-5362 is a Mercara pre stamp cover of 22 May 1852 bearing the Mercara HG 3 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 The Magnolia Collection: India Postal History, Part 8 (Sale 9061, 21 October 2026) lot 10102 (2026).

2 images of COV-5362 are recorded; the Mercara HG 3 mark itself is recorded in use 1838–1852.

Questions about COV-5362

What is COV-5362?: COV-5362 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Mercara, Madras Presidency of 22 May 1852, bearing the Mercara HG 3 handstamp in red. India, Mercara, 1852, "MERCARA/FREE" Oval Handstamp (Giles 3). Clear strike in red with manuscript "26-5-52" date added and applied on arrival, cover originating in Madras with "MADRAS/1852 MAY 22/FREE" oval despatch datestamp (Giles 21), manuscript "Service" and properly countersigned at bottom left corner, cover with some edgewear, Very Fine, a very scarce postal marking of Mercara
How scarce is the Mercara HG 3 mark on this cover?: The census grades Mercara HG 3 as very scarce, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1838–1852.
What is the provenance of COV-5362?: Its recorded auction history runs through Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries The Magnolia Collection: India Postal History, Part 8 (Sale 9061, 21 October 2026) lot 10102 (2026).
When was COV-5362 posted?: COV-5362 is dated 22 May 1852, within the recorded period of use of Mercara HG 3 (1838–1852).

About this record

This 22 May 1852 pre stamp cover of British India bears the Mercara HG 3 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 Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries, The Magnolia Collection: India Postal History, Part 8 (Sale 9061, 21 October 2026), lot 10102, (2026).