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-605 posted?

COV-605 is dated 10 May 1846, within the recorded period of use of Pondicherry HG 10 (1839–1854).

COV-605

10 May 1846 Pondicherry Cover

Back to census|Pondicherry HG 10 · 22 covers recorded

← COV-604 COV-1569 →

Pre-stamp cover of India — 10 May 1846, Pondicherry HG 10 handstruck folded letter (COV-605) — front

Pre-stamp cover of India — Pondicherry HG 10, back (COV-605) — back

Scan or Photo Courtesy of Gowtham BJ

Date

10 May 1846

Description

1846: Entire letter to Bordeaux endorsed "p. Steamer via Bombay, Suez & Marseille" struck with superb framed "PONDICHERY / Paid" datestamp (May 10) in red with "Paid 10a." inserted in manuscript. Curved INDIA PAID in red (1s.) and carried from Bombay (May 20) by East India Co. steamer "Victoria" to Alexandria, thence on the "Iberia" to Malta and "HMS Flamer" to Marseille. Circular "INDES OR. / MARSEILLE" entry marking in red (June 29). Charged '19' décimes due incl. the 1 décime 'voie de mer' charge. All marks unusually superb.

Auction

Corinphila Auctions

Auction 291-297, Lot 511

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-605 is a Pondicherry pre stamp cover of 10 May 1846 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?

Its recorded auction history runs through Corinphila Auctions Auction 291-297 lot 511.

2 images of COV-605 are recorded (front, back); the Pondicherry HG 10 mark itself is recorded in use 1839–1854.

Questions about COV-605

What is COV-605?: COV-605 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Pondicherry, Madras Presidency of 10 May 1846, bearing the Pondicherry HG 10 handstamp in red. 1846: Entire letter to Bordeaux endorsed "p. Steamer via Bombay, Suez & Marseille" struck with superb framed "PONDICHERY / Paid" datestamp (May 10) in red with "Paid 10a." inserted in manuscript. Curved INDIA PAID in red (1s.) and carried from Bombay (May 20) by East India Co. steamer "Victoria" to Alexandria, thence on the "Iberia" to Malta and "HMS Flamer" to Marseille. Circular "INDES OR. / MARSEILLE" entry marking in red (June 29). Charged '19' décimes due incl. the 1 décime 'voie de mer' charge. All marks unusually superb.
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-605?: Its recorded auction history runs through Corinphila Auctions Auction 291-297 lot 511.
When was COV-605 posted?: COV-605 is dated 10 May 1846, within the recorded period of use of Pondicherry HG 10 (1839–1854).

About this record

This 10 May 1846 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 Corinphila Auctions, Auction 291-297, lot 511.