COV-2491 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Pondicherry, Madras Presidency of 21 Mty 1852, bearing the Pondicherry HG 12 handstamp in red. Postal cover from pondicherry (madras), bearing HG 12 handstamp in Red. Dated 21 Mty 1852. Scarce example of postal history from this office.

How scarce is the Pondicherry HG 12 mark on this cover?

The census grades Pondicherry HG 12 as very common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1849–1858.

When was COV-2491 posted?

COV-2491 is dated 21 Mty 1852, within the recorded period of use of Pondicherry HG 12 (1849–1858).

COV-2491

21 Mty 1852 Pondicherry Cover

Back to census|Pondicherry HG 12 · 36 covers recorded

← COV-2488 COV-2552 →

Pre-stamp cover of India — 21 Mty 1852, Pondicherry HG 12 handstruck folded letter (COV-2491) — front

Scan or Photo Courtesy of David Feldman Auctions

Date

21 Mty 1852

Description

Postal cover from pondicherry (madras), bearing HG 12 handstamp in Red. Dated 21 Mty 1852. Scarce example of postal history from this office.

Auction

David Feldman

Spring 2025 Auction Series, Lot 80477, (30 May 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-2491 is a Pondicherry pre stamp cover of 21 Mty 1852 bearing the Pondicherry HG 12 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?

Postal cover from pondicherry (madras), bearing HG 12 handstamp in Red. Dated 21 Mty 1852. Scarce example of postal history from this office.

Its recorded auction history runs through David Feldman Spring 2025 Auction Series lot 80477 (30 May 2025).

1 image of COV-2491 is recorded (front); the Pondicherry HG 12 mark itself is recorded in use 1849–1858.

Questions about COV-2491

What is COV-2491?: COV-2491 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Pondicherry, Madras Presidency of 21 Mty 1852, bearing the Pondicherry HG 12 handstamp in red. Postal cover from pondicherry (madras), bearing HG 12 handstamp in Red. Dated 21 Mty 1852. Scarce example of postal history from this office.
How scarce is the Pondicherry HG 12 mark on this cover?: The census grades Pondicherry HG 12 as very common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1849–1858.
What is the provenance of COV-2491?: Its recorded auction history runs through David Feldman Spring 2025 Auction Series lot 80477 (30 May 2025).
When was COV-2491 posted?: COV-2491 is dated 21 Mty 1852, within the recorded period of use of Pondicherry HG 12 (1849–1858).

About this record

This 21 Mty 1852 pre stamp cover of British India bears the Pondicherry HG 12 handstamp of the Madras Presidency, a mark graded “Very common” in this census — one of 36 surviving covers with this mark recorded. It has appeared at auction with David Feldman, Spring 2025 Auction Series, lot 80477, (30 May 2025).