COV-3865 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Pondicherry, Madras Presidency of 20 October 1841, bearing the Pondicherry HG 10 handstamp in red. India 1841 prestamp cover per Steamer via Bombay to Bordeaux France w/ red boxed "PAQUEBOTS/DE LA/MEDITERRANEE"/ oval "INDIA" & "PONDICHERRY PAID" cachets

How scarce is the Pondicherry HG 10 mark on this cover?

The census grades Pondicherry HG 10 as very common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1839–1854.

When was COV-3865 posted?

COV-3865 is dated 20 October 1841, within the recorded period of use of Pondicherry HG 10 (1839–1854).

COV-3865

20 October 1841 Pondicherry Cover

Back to census|Pondicherry HG 10 · 22 covers recorded

← COV-3613 COV-3867 →

Pre-stamp cover of India — 20 October 1841, Pondicherry HG 10 handstruck folded letter (COV-3865)

Pre-stamp cover of India — Pondicherry HG 10, scan 2 (COV-3865)

Scan or Photo Courtesy of Sephils

Date

20 October 1841

Description

India 1841 prestamp cover per Steamer via Bombay to Bordeaux France w/ red boxed "PAQUEBOTS/DE LA/MEDITERRANEE"/ oval "INDIA" & "PONDICHERRY PAID" cachets

Auction

Sephils

296, Lot 0115, (2025)

Same office

Other recorded marks at Pondicherry

15 marks

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

+9 more at this office.View all Pondicherry marks and postal history →

About this Pondicherry pre stamp cover

COV-3865 is a Pondicherry pre stamp cover of 20 October 1841 bearing the Pondicherry HG 10 handstamp, struck in red, recorded in the census of Pondicherry postal history — the office known today as Puducherry, Madras Presidency. What is a pre stamp cover?

India 1841 prestamp cover per Steamer via Bombay to Bordeaux France w/ red boxed "PAQUEBOTS/DE LA/MEDITERRANEE"/ oval "INDIA" & "PONDICHERRY PAID" cachets

Its recorded auction history runs through Sephils 296 lot 0115 (2025).

2 images of COV-3865 are recorded; the Pondicherry HG 10 mark itself is recorded in use 1839–1854.

Questions about COV-3865

What is COV-3865?: COV-3865 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Pondicherry, Madras Presidency of 20 October 1841, bearing the Pondicherry HG 10 handstamp in red. India 1841 prestamp cover per Steamer via Bombay to Bordeaux France w/ red boxed "PAQUEBOTS/DE LA/MEDITERRANEE"/ oval "INDIA" & "PONDICHERRY PAID" cachets
How scarce is the Pondicherry HG 10 mark on this cover?: The census grades Pondicherry HG 10 as very common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1839–1854.
What is the provenance of COV-3865?: Its recorded auction history runs through Sephils 296 lot 0115 (2025).
When was COV-3865 posted?: COV-3865 is dated 20 October 1841, within the recorded period of use of Pondicherry HG 10 (1839–1854).

About this record

This 20 October 1841 pre stamp cover of British India bears the Pondicherry HG 10 handstamp of the Madras Presidency, a mark graded “Very common” in this census — one of 22 surviving covers with this mark recorded. It has appeared at auction with Sephils, 296, lot 0115, (2025).