COV-5005 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Ootacamund, Madras Presidency of 23 October 1838, bearing the Ootacamund HG 4 handstamp in red. Entire written at Ootacamund 22 Oct 1838. OOTICAMUND 23 October 1838 Paid, manuscript 12As; INDIA in ellipse (black, unusual); via Bombay to London.

How scarce is the Ootacamund HG 4 mark on this cover?

The census grades Ootacamund HG 4 as common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1838–1856.

When was COV-5005 posted?

COV-5005 is dated 23 October 1838, within the recorded period of use of Ootacamund HG 4 (1838–1856).

COV-5005

23 October 1838 Ootacamund Cover

Back to census|Ootacamund HG 4 · 15 covers recorded

← COV-5004 COV-5019 →

Pre-stamp cover of India — 23 October 1838, Ootacamund HG 4 handstruck folded letter (COV-5005)

Scan or Photo Courtesy of David Feldman Auctions

Date

23 October 1838

Description

Entire written at Ootacamund 22 Oct 1838. OOTICAMUND 23 October 1838 Paid, manuscript 12As; INDIA in ellipse (black, unusual); via Bombay to London.

Auction

David Feldman

Autumn 2025 Auction Series - British Empire, Lot 50707, (2025)

Same office

Other recorded marks at Ootacamund

5 marks

5 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.

View all Ootacamund marks and postal history →

About this Ootacamund pre stamp cover

COV-5005 is an Ootacamund pre stamp cover of 23 October 1838 bearing the Ootacamund HG 4 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?

Entire written at Ootacamund 22 Oct 1838. OOTICAMUND 23 October 1838 Paid, manuscript 12As; INDIA in ellipse (black, unusual); via Bombay to London.

Its recorded auction history runs through David Feldman SA Autumn 2025 Auction Series - British Empire lot 50707 (2025).

1 image of COV-5005 is recorded; the Ootacamund HG 4 mark itself is recorded in use 1838–1856.

Questions about COV-5005

What is COV-5005?: COV-5005 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Ootacamund, Madras Presidency of 23 October 1838, bearing the Ootacamund HG 4 handstamp in red. Entire written at Ootacamund 22 Oct 1838. OOTICAMUND 23 October 1838 Paid, manuscript 12As; INDIA in ellipse (black, unusual); via Bombay to London.
How scarce is the Ootacamund HG 4 mark on this cover?: The census grades Ootacamund HG 4 as common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1838–1856.
What is the provenance of COV-5005?: Its recorded auction history runs through David Feldman SA Autumn 2025 Auction Series - British Empire lot 50707 (2025).
When was COV-5005 posted?: COV-5005 is dated 23 October 1838, within the recorded period of use of Ootacamund HG 4 (1838–1856).

About this record

This 23 October 1838 pre stamp cover of British India bears the Ootacamund HG 4 handstamp of the Madras Presidency, a mark graded “Common” in this census — one of 15 surviving covers with this mark recorded. It has appeared at auction with David Feldman, Autumn 2025 Auction Series - British Empire, lot 50707, (2025).