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-3621 posted?

COV-3621 is dated 1849, within the recorded period of use of Pondicherry HG 12 (1849–1858).

COV-3621

1849 Pondicherry Cover

Back to census|Pondicherry HG 12 · 31 covers recorded

← COV-3601 COV-3878 →

Pre-stamp cover of India — 1849, Pondicherry HG 12 handstruck folded letter (COV-3621)

Pre-stamp cover of India — Pondicherry HG 12, scan 2 (COV-3621)

Scan or Photo Courtesy of Sephils

Date

1849

Description

India 1849 Pre-stamp Entire Letter from French Pondicherry to Marseille, France, sent via Overland Route through Bombay and Suez, marked with 10/- charge and red India-Paid crescent.

Auction

Sephils

598, Lot 0111, (2026)

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-3621 is a Pondicherry pre stamp cover of 1849 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?

India 1849 Pre-stamp Entire Letter from French Pondicherry to Marseille, France, sent via Overland Route through Bombay and Suez, marked with 10/- charge and red India-Paid crescent.

Its recorded auction history runs through Sephils 598 lot 0111 (2026).

2 images of COV-3621 are recorded; the Pondicherry HG 12 mark itself is recorded in use 1849–1858.

Questions about COV-3621

What is COV-3621?: COV-3621 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Pondicherry, Madras Presidency of 1849, bearing the Pondicherry HG 12 handstamp in red. India 1849 Pre-stamp Entire Letter from French Pondicherry to Marseille, France, sent via Overland Route through Bombay and Suez, marked with 10/- charge and red India-Paid crescent.
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-3621?: Its recorded auction history runs through Sephils 598 lot 0111 (2026).
When was COV-3621 posted?: COV-3621 is dated 1849, within the recorded period of use of Pondicherry HG 12 (1849–1858).

About this record

This 1849 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 31 surviving covers with this mark recorded. It has appeared at auction with Sephils, 598, lot 0111, (2026).