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-5733 posted?

COV-5733 is dated 18 January 1859, within the recorded period of use of Pondicherry HG 12 (1849–1858).

COV-5733

18 January 1859 Pondicherry Cover

Back to census|Pondicherry HG 12 · 37 covers recorded

← COV-5402

Pre-stamp cover of India — 18 January 1859, Pondicherry HG 12 handstruck folded letter (COV-5733)

Pre-stamp cover of India — Pondicherry HG 12, scan 2 (COV-5733)

Scan or Photo Courtesy of Corinphila Auctions

Date

18 January 1859

Description

1859 (18 Jan): Entire letter to Marseilles, bearing a fine strike of the framed "PONDICHERRY / Paid" red handstamp (Giles Type 12), endorsed "P(er) Steamer via Madras", with framed "MADRAS G.P.O" and crescent "INDIA PAID" markings (Giles Types SD20 & SD21), taxed "10" décimes upon arrival in France. A very fine and attractive cover

Auction

Corinphila Auctions

Corinphila Auktion, Lot 3636, (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-5733 is a Pondicherry pre stamp cover of 18 January 1859 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 Corinphila Corinphila Auktion lot 3636 (2026).

2 images of COV-5733 are recorded; the Pondicherry HG 12 mark itself is recorded in use 1849–1858.

Questions about COV-5733

What is COV-5733?: COV-5733 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Pondicherry, Madras Presidency of 18 January 1859, bearing the Pondicherry HG 12 handstamp in red. 1859 (18 Jan): Entire letter to Marseilles, bearing a fine strike of the framed "PONDICHERRY / Paid" red handstamp (Giles Type 12), endorsed "P(er) Steamer via Madras", with framed "MADRAS G.P.O" and crescent "INDIA PAID" markings (Giles Types SD20 & SD21), taxed "10" décimes upon arrival in France. A very fine and attractive 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-5733?: Its recorded auction history runs through Corinphila Corinphila Auktion lot 3636 (2026).
When was COV-5733 posted?: COV-5733 is dated 18 January 1859, within the recorded period of use of Pondicherry HG 12 (1849–1858).

About this record

This 18 January 1859 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 37 surviving covers with this mark recorded. It has appeared at auction with Corinphila Auctions, Corinphila Auktion, lot 3636, (2026).