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

The census grades Palamcotah HG 4 as common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1831-36.

When was COV-5650 posted?

COV-5650 is dated 9 May 1836, within the recorded period of use of Palamcotah HG 4 (1831-36).

COV-5650

9 May 1836 Palamcotah Cover

Back to census|Palamcotah HG 4 · 2 covers recorded

← COV-2763

Pre-stamp cover of India — 9 May 1836, Palamcotah HG 4 handstruck folded letter (COV-5650)

Pre-stamp cover of India — Palamcotah HG 4, scan 2 (COV-5650)

Scan or Photo Courtesy of Siegel Auction Galleries

Date

9 May 1836

Description

India, Palamcotah, 1836, "PALLAMCOTTAH/POST NOT PAID" Framed Handstamp (Giles 4). Clear strike with manuscript "A 9" rate and "9th May 1836" date added on back of folded letter to Madras, Madras (May 15, Giles MX4) and Madras Postage Bearing (May 15, Giles 18) arrival backstamps, letter regarding registering a baptism and marriage, cover with heavy overall toning, missing a side flap and small opening tear into strike, still Fine, a rarely encountered postal marking

Auction

Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries

Worldwide Stamps and Postal History (Sale 1392, 10 November 2026), Lot 362, (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-5650 is a Palamcotah pre stamp cover of 9 May 1836 bearing the Palamcotah HG 4 handstamp, struck in black, 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 Worldwide Stamps and Postal History (Sale 1392, 10 November 2026) lot 362 (2026).

2 images of COV-5650 are recorded; the Palamcotah HG 4 mark itself is recorded in use 1831-36.

Questions about COV-5650

What is COV-5650?: COV-5650 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Palamcotah, Madras Presidency of 9 May 1836, bearing the Palamcotah HG 4 handstamp in black. India, Palamcotah, 1836, "PALLAMCOTTAH/POST NOT PAID" Framed Handstamp (Giles 4). Clear strike with manuscript "A 9" rate and "9th May 1836" date added on back of folded letter to Madras, Madras (May 15, Giles MX4) and Madras Postage Bearing (May 15, Giles 18) arrival backstamps, letter regarding registering a baptism and marriage, cover with heavy overall toning, missing a side flap and small opening tear into strike, still Fine, a rarely encountered postal marking
How scarce is the Palamcotah HG 4 mark on this cover?: The census grades Palamcotah HG 4 as common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1831-36.
What is the provenance of COV-5650?: Its recorded auction history runs through Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries Worldwide Stamps and Postal History (Sale 1392, 10 November 2026) lot 362 (2026).
When was COV-5650 posted?: COV-5650 is dated 9 May 1836, within the recorded period of use of Palamcotah HG 4 (1831-36).

About this record

This 9 May 1836 pre stamp cover of British India bears the Palamcotah HG 4 handstamp of the Madras Presidency, a mark graded “Common” in this census — one of 2 surviving covers with this mark recorded. It has appeared at auction with Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries, Worldwide Stamps and Postal History (Sale 1392, 10 November 2026), lot 362, (2026).