COV-3878 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Pondicherry, Madras Presidency of 9 October 1853, bearing the Pondicherry HG 12 handstamp in red. India 1853 prestamp cover per Steamer via Madras/ Suez Egypt w/ red boxed "PONDICHERRY PAID"/ "INDIA PAID" in red crescent cachets to Bordeaux France

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-3878 posted?

COV-3878 is dated 9 October 1853, within the recorded period of use of Pondicherry HG 12 (1849–1858).

COV-3878

9 October 1853 Pondicherry Cover

Back to census|Pondicherry HG 12 · 36 covers recorded

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Pre-stamp cover of India — 9 October 1853, Pondicherry HG 12 handstruck folded letter (COV-3878)

Pre-stamp cover of India — Pondicherry HG 12, scan 2 (COV-3878)

Scan or Photo Courtesy of Sephils

Date

9 October 1853

Description

India 1853 prestamp cover per Steamer via Madras/ Suez Egypt w/ red boxed "PONDICHERRY PAID"/ "INDIA PAID" in red crescent cachets to Bordeaux France

Auction

Sephils

256, Lot 0094, (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-3878 is a Pondicherry pre stamp cover of 9 October 1853 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 1853 prestamp cover per Steamer via Madras/ Suez Egypt w/ red boxed "PONDICHERRY PAID"/ "INDIA PAID" in red crescent cachets to Bordeaux France

Its recorded auction history runs through Sephils 256 lot 0094 (2025).

2 images of COV-3878 are recorded; the Pondicherry HG 12 mark itself is recorded in use 1849–1858.

Questions about COV-3878

What is COV-3878?: COV-3878 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Pondicherry, Madras Presidency of 9 October 1853, bearing the Pondicherry HG 12 handstamp in red. India 1853 prestamp cover per Steamer via Madras/ Suez Egypt w/ red boxed "PONDICHERRY PAID"/ "INDIA PAID" in red crescent cachets to Bordeaux France
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-3878?: Its recorded auction history runs through Sephils 256 lot 0094 (2025).
When was COV-3878 posted?: COV-3878 is dated 9 October 1853, within the recorded period of use of Pondicherry HG 12 (1849–1858).

About this record

This 9 October 1853 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 Sephils, 256, lot 0094, (2025).