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-4806 posted?

COV-4806 is dated 1 November 1855, within the recorded period of use of Pondicherry HG 12 (1849–1858).

COV-4806

1 November 1855 Pondicherry HG 12 Cover

Back to census|Pondicherry HG 12 · 29 covers recorded

← COV-4805

1 November 1855 Pondicherry HG 12 pre stamp cover — COV-4806 — front

Pondicherry HG 12 pre stamp cover — back (COV-4806) — back

Scan or Photo Courtesy of Siegel Auction Galleries

Date

1 November 1855

Description

India, (French Settlement), Pondicherry, 1854, 1a Red, Die I (4; SG 12). Large margins to clear, just touching at right, tied by diamond of dots cancel on folded letter to Madras, mostly clear red framed "PONDICHERRY/1855 November 1/Paid" despatch datestamp (Giles 12) on back, manuscript "Registered", framed "AM" handstamp, Madras (Nov. 3) arrival backstamp, cover with some slight ink erosion which has been hinge strengthened on front panel, otherwise Very Fine, a scarce Lithograph use from Pondicherry, especially so as a registered cover

Auction

Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries

The Magnolia Collection: India Stamps and Postal History, Part 3, Lot 3243, (06/26/2024)

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-4806 is a Pondicherry pre stamp cover of 1 November 1855 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 3 lot 3243 (06/26/2024).

2 images of COV-4806 are recorded (front, back); the Pondicherry HG 12 mark itself is recorded in use 1849–1858.

Questions about COV-4806

What is COV-4806?: COV-4806 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Pondicherry, Madras Presidency of 1 November 1855, bearing the Pondicherry HG 12 handstamp in red. India, (French Settlement), Pondicherry, 1854, 1a Red, Die I (4; SG 12). Large margins to clear, just touching at right, tied by diamond of dots cancel on folded letter to Madras, mostly clear red framed "PONDICHERRY/1855 November 1/Paid" despatch datestamp (Giles 12) on back, manuscript "Registered", framed "AM" handstamp, Madras (Nov. 3) arrival backstamp, cover with some slight ink erosion which has been hinge strengthened on front panel, otherwise Very Fine, a scarce Lithograph use from Pondicherry, especially so as a registered cover
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-4806?: Its recorded auction history runs through Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries The Magnolia Collection: India Stamps and Postal History, Part 3 lot 3243 (06/26/2024).
When was COV-4806 posted?: COV-4806 is dated 1 November 1855, within the recorded period of use of Pondicherry HG 12 (1849–1858).

About this record

This 1 November 1855 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 29 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 3, lot 3243, (06/26/2024).