Scan or Photo Courtesy of Argyll Etkin Auctions
Date
1833
Description
1833 (Nov 6) Entire letter from A.W Murray of the 42nd Native Infantry at Nulyherries, to "Lieut. Keith Young, 50th Regt Bengal N.I, Barrackpore", the reverse with manuscript "Post Paid to Preaghy 1r 2a" and red boxed "OOTACAMUND / POST PAID". The letter mentions the renewal of the E.I.C Charter. Murray was killed in the 1857 Mutiny.
Auction
Lot 1369, (2026)
Same office
Other recorded marks at Ootacamund
5 marks5 other pre-1854 postal markings of Ootacamund are recorded in the census. Compare their figure numbers, dates and colours to identify the mark on your cover.
About this Ootacamund pre stamp cover
COV-5749 is an Ootacamund pre stamp cover of 1833 bearing the Ootacamund HG 1 handstamp, struck in red, recorded in the census of Ootacamund postal history — the office known today as Udhagamandalam, Madras Presidency. What is a pre stamp cover?
1833 (Nov 6) Entire letter from A.W Murray of the 42nd Native Infantry at Nulyherries, to "Lieut. Keith Young, 50th Regt Bengal N.I, Barrackpore", the reverse with manuscript "Post Paid to Preaghy 1r 2a" and red boxed "OOTACAMUND / POST PAID". The letter mentions the renewal of the E.I.C Charter. Murray was killed in the 1857 Mutiny.
Its recorded auction history runs through Argyll Etkin Limited lot 1369 (2026).
4 images of COV-5749 are recorded; the Ootacamund HG 1 mark itself is recorded in use 1828-34.
Questions about COV-5749
- What is COV-5749?
- COV-5749 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Ootacamund, Madras Presidency of 1833, bearing the Ootacamund HG 1 handstamp in red. 1833 (Nov 6) Entire letter from A.W Murray of the 42nd Native Infantry at Nulyherries, to "Lieut. Keith Young, 50th Regt Bengal N.I, Barrackpore", the reverse with manuscript "Post Paid to Preaghy 1r 2a" and red boxed "OOTACAMUND / POST PAID". The letter mentions the renewal of the E.I.C Charter. Murray was killed in the 1857 Mutiny.
- How scarce is the Ootacamund HG 1 mark on this cover?
- The census grades Ootacamund HG 1 as common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1828-34.
- What is the provenance of COV-5749?
- Its recorded auction history runs through Argyll Etkin Limited lot 1369 (2026).
- When was COV-5749 posted?
- COV-5749 is dated 1833, within the recorded period of use of Ootacamund HG 1 (1828-34).
About this record
This 1833 pre stamp cover of British India bears the Ootacamund HG 1 handstamp of the Madras Presidency, a mark graded “Common” in this census — one of 3 surviving covers with this mark recorded. It has appeared at auction with Argyll Etkin, lot 1369, (2026).