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-4719 posted?

COV-4719 is dated 17 May 1856, within the recorded period of use of Pondicherry HG 12 (1849–1858).

COV-4719

17 May 1856 Pondicherry Cover

Back to census|Pondicherry HG 12 · 36 covers recorded

← COV-4718 COV-4805 →

Pre-stamp cover of India — 17 May 1856, Pondicherry HG 12 handstruck folded letter (COV-4719) — front

Pre-stamp cover of India — Pondicherry HG 12, back (COV-4719) — back

Scan or Photo Courtesy of Siegel Auction Galleries

Date

17 May 1856

Description

India, (French Settlement), Pondicherry, 1854, ½a Blue, Die II (2D; SG 6). Large margins to touching at left and top, tied by "C/III" cancel on 1856 folded letter to Madras, red framed "PONDICHERRY/1856 May 17/Paid" boxed despatch datestamp (Giles 12) on back, black framed "AM" handstamp, red Madras (May 19) arrival backstamp, Very Fine

Auction

Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries

The Magnolia Collection: India Stamps and Postal History, Part 5, Lot 208, (09/30/2025)

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-4719 is a Pondicherry pre stamp cover of 17 May 1856 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 The Magnolia Collection: India Stamps and Postal History, Part 5 lot 208 (09/30/2025).

2 images of COV-4719 are recorded (front, back); the Pondicherry HG 12 mark itself is recorded in use 1849–1858.

Questions about COV-4719

What is COV-4719?: COV-4719 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Pondicherry, Madras Presidency of 17 May 1856, bearing the Pondicherry HG 12 handstamp in red. India, (French Settlement), Pondicherry, 1854, ½a Blue, Die II (2D; SG 6). Large margins to touching at left and top, tied by "C/III" cancel on 1856 folded letter to Madras, red framed "PONDICHERRY/1856 May 17/Paid" boxed despatch datestamp (Giles 12) on back, black framed "AM" handstamp, red Madras (May 19) arrival backstamp, 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-4719?: Its recorded auction history runs through Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries The Magnolia Collection: India Stamps and Postal History, Part 5 lot 208 (09/30/2025).
When was COV-4719 posted?: COV-4719 is dated 17 May 1856, within the recorded period of use of Pondicherry HG 12 (1849–1858).

About this record

This 17 May 1856 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, The Magnolia Collection: India Stamps and Postal History, Part 5, lot 208, (09/30/2025).