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-339 posted?

COV-339 is dated 4 November 1852, within the recorded period of use of Pondicherry HG 12 (1849–1858).

COV-339

4 November 1852 Pondicherry Cover

Back to census|Pondicherry HG 12 · 36 covers recorded

COV-2282 →

Pre-stamp cover of India — 4 November 1852, Pondicherry HG 12 handstruck folded letter (COV-339) — front

Pre-stamp cover of India — Pondicherry HG 12, back (COV-339) — back

Scan or Photo Courtesy of Siegel Auction Galleries

Date

4 November 1852

Description

India, French Settlement, Pondicherry, 1852, "PONDICHERRY/1852 November 4 /Paid" Framed Datestamp (Giles 12). Bold strike in red on blue folded letter to Marseilles, France, sender's directive "p Stear Pointe Galle & Suez" , framed "AM" and red "INDIA PAID" crescent handstamps, red Madras (Nov. 6) and red French entry transit handstamps, "10" rate handstamp, mild file fold thru Pondicherry marking, Very Fine

Auction

Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries

Sale 9020, Lot 10150, — The Magnolia Collection Part 5

Provenance

"Magnolia"

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-339 is a Pondicherry pre stamp cover of 4 November 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?

Its recorded auction history runs through Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries Sale 9020 lot 10150.

2 images of COV-339 are recorded (front, back); the Pondicherry HG 12 mark itself is recorded in use 1849–1858.

Questions about COV-339

What is COV-339?: COV-339 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Pondicherry, Madras Presidency of 4 November 1852, bearing the Pondicherry HG 12 handstamp in red. India, French Settlement, Pondicherry, 1852, "PONDICHERRY/1852 November 4 /Paid" Framed Datestamp (Giles 12). Bold strike in red on blue folded letter to Marseilles, France, sender's directive "p Stear Pointe Galle & Suez" , framed "AM" and red "INDIA PAID" crescent handstamps, red Madras (Nov. 6) and red French entry transit handstamps, "10" rate handstamp, mild file fold thru Pondicherry marking, Very Fine
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-339?: Its recorded auction history runs through Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries Sale 9020 lot 10150.
When was COV-339 posted?: COV-339 is dated 4 November 1852, within the recorded period of use of Pondicherry HG 12 (1849–1858).

About this record

This 4 November 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 Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries, Sale 9020, lot 10150.