COV-2445 — 16 July 1850 Negapatam HG 4 Cover
Scan or Photo Courtesy of Santosh MS
Census record COV-2445 is a 16 July 1850 pre-stamp cover of British India bearing the Negapatam HG 4 handstamp of the Madras Presidency, a mark graded “Common” in this census — one of 6 surviving covers with this mark recorded.
Date
16 July 1850
Description
1850 Negapatnam – Port Louis entire, with Giles 4 "NEGAPATNAM/1850 July 16/Paid" handstamp, rate "9 as" comprising 8A steam postage for a letter not exceeding 1 tolah & 1A inland postage to Madras for a letter not exceeding ¼ tolah (travelled between 100–200 miles) applied in manuscript. Sent to Galle from Madras & from there loaded on the British packet Briton's Queen on 25th June & reached Port Louis on 17th August. This new packet service was operated between 1848–1852. "PD", "PACKET", & "MAURITIUS/AU 17/1850/GPO" receipt marks applied.