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-4254 posted?

COV-4254 is dated 22 August 1839, within the recorded period of use of Pondicherry HG 10 (1839–1854).

COV-4254

22 August 1839 Pondicherry Cover

Back to census|Pondicherry HG 10 · 22 covers recorded

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Pre-stamp cover of India — 22 August 1839, Pondicherry HG 10 handstruck folded letter (COV-4254) — front

Pre-stamp cover of India — Pondicherry HG 10, back (COV-4254) — back

Scan or Photo Courtesy of Private

Date

22 August 1839

Description

INDIA. (OVERLAND MAIL). 1839. Pre stamp envelope written from Pondichery (French Possession) dated '22n Aout 1839' addressed to Bordeaux, endorsed per steamer via Bombay/ via Marseille? , cancelled by framed Pondichery/ Paid' in red dated 3I Augt 1839 in m/s, endorsed Ir 6a Steamer & Inland Postage Paid in India' with double oval Out Station/ Ship Letter/ Madras/ 2 Se 2/1839 with framed 'G.P.O/ 1839 Spt 2' in red and oval INDIA', bexed ¡Paquebots/ De La Mediterranee' and Bordeaux arrival i8th Nov on reverse. Charged 19' in m/s rated Porto 10 Decimes Alexandria - Marseille + 9 Decimes Marseille - Bordeanx. The route was in use during the Monsoon season as the steamers to Basra could cruise against the wind. See Heddergot "Edition D'Or" page 66, 67. The Overland mail route via Basra, Bagdad and Alexandria was 25 days shorter than the route via Suez, Alexandria. This cover took 70 days against 98/99 days.

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-4254 is a Pondicherry pre stamp cover of 22 August 1839 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?

2 images of COV-4254 are recorded (front, back); the Pondicherry HG 10 mark itself is recorded in use 1839–1854.

Questions about COV-4254

What is COV-4254?: COV-4254 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Pondicherry, Madras Presidency of 22 August 1839, bearing the Pondicherry HG 10 handstamp in red. INDIA. (OVERLAND MAIL). 1839. Pre stamp envelope written from Pondichery (French Possession) dated '22n Aout 1839' addressed to Bordeaux, endorsed per steamer via Bombay/ via Marseille? , cancelled by framed Pondichery/ Paid' in red dated 3I Augt 1839 in m/s, endorsed Ir 6a Steamer & Inland Postage Paid in India' with double oval Out Station/ Ship Letter/ Madras/ 2 Se 2/1839 with framed 'G.P.O/ 1839 Spt 2' in red and oval INDIA', bexed ¡Paquebots/ De La Mediterranee' and Bordeaux arrival i8th Nov on reverse. Charged 19' in m/s rated Porto 10 Decimes Alexandria - Marseille + 9 Decimes Marseille - Bordeanx. The route was in use during the Monsoon season as the steamers to Basra could cruise against the wind. See Heddergot "Edition D'Or" page 66, 67. The Overland mail route via Basra, Bagdad and Alexandria was 25 days shorter than the route via Suez, Alexandria. This cover took 70 days against 98/99 days.
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-4254 posted?: COV-4254 is dated 22 August 1839, within the recorded period of use of Pondicherry HG 10 (1839–1854).

About this record

This 22 August 1839 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.