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-5372 posted?

COV-5372 is dated 1855, within the recorded period of use of Pondicherry HG 12 (1849–1858).

COV-5372

1855 Pondicherry Cover

Back to census|Pondicherry HG 12 · 36 covers recorded

← COV-5335 COV-5379 →

Pre-stamp cover of India — 1855, Pondicherry HG 12 handstruck folded letter (COV-5372)

Pre-stamp cover of India — Pondicherry HG 12, scan 2 (COV-5372)

Scan or Photo Courtesy of Siegel Auction Galleries

Date

1855

Description

India, (French Settlement), Karikal, 1855-64, ½a Blue (11; SG 38). Tied by well-struck "C/147" cancel on petite 1856 folded cover to Pondicherry, red framed "KARICAL/Paid" handstamp (Giles 1) with manuscript "22-12-56" date added on back, red framed Pondicherry (Dec. 24) arrival backstamp, cover with couple stray toned spots, Very Fine and scarce use of the British Post Office between two French Settlements

Auction

Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries

The Magnolia Collection: India Postal History, Part 8 (Sale 9061, 21 October 2026), Lot 10149, (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-5372 is a Pondicherry pre stamp cover of 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 Postal History, Part 8 (Sale 9061, 21 October 2026) lot 10149 (2026).

2 images of COV-5372 are recorded; the Pondicherry HG 12 mark itself is recorded in use 1849–1858.

Questions about COV-5372

What is COV-5372?: COV-5372 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Pondicherry, Madras Presidency of 1855, bearing the Pondicherry HG 12 handstamp in red. India, (French Settlement), Karikal, 1855-64, ½a Blue (11; SG 38). Tied by well-struck "C/147" cancel on petite 1856 folded cover to Pondicherry, red framed "KARICAL/Paid" handstamp (Giles 1) with manuscript "22-12-56" date added on back, red framed Pondicherry (Dec. 24) arrival backstamp, cover with couple stray toned spots, Very Fine and scarce use of the British Post Office between two French Settlements
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-5372?: Its recorded auction history runs through Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries The Magnolia Collection: India Postal History, Part 8 (Sale 9061, 21 October 2026) lot 10149 (2026).
When was COV-5372 posted?: COV-5372 is dated 1855, within the recorded period of use of Pondicherry HG 12 (1849–1858).

About this record

This 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 36 surviving covers with this mark recorded. It has appeared at auction with Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries, The Magnolia Collection: India Postal History, Part 8 (Sale 9061, 21 October 2026), lot 10149, (2026).