How scarce is the Palamcotah HG 2 mark on this cover?

The census grades Palamcotah HG 2 as scarce, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1819–1823.

When was COV-5308 posted?

COV-5308 is dated 23 October 1821, within the recorded period of use of Palamcotah HG 2 (1819–1823).

COV-5308

23 October 1821 Palamcotah Cover

Back to census|Palamcotah HG 2 · 4 covers recorded

← COV-2765

Pre-stamp cover of India — 23 October 1821, Palamcotah HG 2 handstruck folded letter (COV-5308)

Pre-stamp cover of India — Palamcotah HG 2, scan 2 (COV-5308)

Scan or Photo Courtesy of Siegel Auction Galleries

Date

23 October 1821

Description

India, Palamcotah, 1821, "PALAMCOTAH" Handstamp (Giles 2). Mostly clear strike with star at center, applied along with "POST PAID" straightline and manuscript "12 Annas Double, 23rd Octr 1821" date and rate added on folded cover, cover with slight overall toning and some minor insect damage, Fine strike of the small handful of covers recorded, the "POST PAID" straightline is unrecorded by Giles used from Palamcotah but is known on the other covers with this Giles 2 postal marking

Auction

Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries

The Magnolia Collection: India Postal History, Part 8 (Sale 9061, 21 October 2026), Lot 10115, (2026)

Same office

Other recorded marks at Palamcotah

11 marks

11 other pre-1854 postal markings of Palamcotah are recorded in the census. Compare their figure numbers, dates and colours to identify the mark on your cover.

+5 more at this office.View all Palamcotah marks and postal history →

About this Palamcotah pre stamp cover

COV-5308 is a Palamcotah pre stamp cover of 23 October 1821 bearing the Palamcotah HG 2 handstamp, struck in mauve, recorded in the census of Palamcotah postal history — the office known today as Palayamkottai, 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 10115 (2026).

2 images of COV-5308 are recorded; the Palamcotah HG 2 mark itself is recorded in use 1819–1823.

Questions about COV-5308

What is COV-5308?: COV-5308 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Palamcotah, Madras Presidency of 23 October 1821, bearing the Palamcotah HG 2 handstamp in mauve. India, Palamcotah, 1821, "PALAMCOTAH" Handstamp (Giles 2). Mostly clear strike with star at center, applied along with "POST PAID" straightline and manuscript "12 Annas Double, 23rd Octr 1821" date and rate added on folded cover, cover with slight overall toning and some minor insect damage, Fine strike of the small handful of covers recorded, the "POST PAID" straightline is unrecorded by Giles used from Palamcotah but is known on the other covers with this Giles 2 postal marking
How scarce is the Palamcotah HG 2 mark on this cover?: The census grades Palamcotah HG 2 as scarce, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1819–1823.
What is the provenance of COV-5308?: 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 10115 (2026).
When was COV-5308 posted?: COV-5308 is dated 23 October 1821, within the recorded period of use of Palamcotah HG 2 (1819–1823).

About this record

This 23 October 1821 pre stamp cover of British India bears the Palamcotah HG 2 handstamp of the Madras Presidency, a mark graded “Scarce” in this census — one of 4 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 10115, (2026).