How scarce is the Pondicherry HG 1a mark on this cover?

The census grades Pondicherry HG 1a as scarce, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1818.

When was COV-466 posted?

COV-466 is dated 1823, within the recorded period of use of Pondicherry HG 1a (1818).

COV-466

1823 Pondicherry Cover

Back to census|Pondicherry HG 1a · 2 covers recorded

Pre-stamp cover of India — 1823, Pondicherry HG 1a handstruck folded letter (COV-466) — front

Pre-stamp cover of India — Pondicherry HG 1a, back (COV-466) — back

Scan or Photo Courtesy of Siegel Auction Galleries

Date

1823

Description

India (French Settlement), Pondicherry, 1823, "PONDICHERRY" Circular Handstamp (Giles 1). Very faint but just legible strike, used with "POST PAID" handstamp (Giles unrecorded) on back of 1823 folded letter to Madras, Madras (Sept. 13) arrival backstamp, cover heavily toned, with several insect holes, and some ink erosion, about Fine, a very rare strike with few examples recorded, an affordable example compared to the cover offered in Magnolia Part 3 which brought $8,000 (plus buyer's premium)

Auction

Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries

Sale 9042, Lot 10127, — The Magnolia Collection Part 6

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-466 is a Pondicherry pre stamp cover of 1823 bearing the Pondicherry HG 1a handstamp, struck in black, 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 Sale 9042 lot 10127.

2 images of COV-466 are recorded (front, back); the Pondicherry HG 1a mark itself is recorded in use 1818.

Questions about COV-466

What is COV-466?: COV-466 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Pondicherry, Madras Presidency of 1823, bearing the Pondicherry HG 1a handstamp in black. India (French Settlement), Pondicherry, 1823, "PONDICHERRY" Circular Handstamp (Giles 1). Very faint but just legible strike, used with "POST PAID" handstamp (Giles unrecorded) on back of 1823 folded letter to Madras, Madras (Sept. 13) arrival backstamp, cover heavily toned, with several insect holes, and some ink erosion, about Fine, a very rare strike with few examples recorded, an affordable example compared to the cover offered in Magnolia Part 3 which brought $8,000 (plus buyer's premium)
How scarce is the Pondicherry HG 1a mark on this cover?: The census grades Pondicherry HG 1a as scarce, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1818.
What is the provenance of COV-466?: Its recorded auction history runs through Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries Sale 9042 lot 10127.
When was COV-466 posted?: COV-466 is dated 1823, within the recorded period of use of Pondicherry HG 1a (1818).

About this record

This 1823 pre stamp cover of British India bears the Pondicherry HG 1a handstamp of the Madras Presidency, a mark graded “Scarce” in this census — one of 2 surviving covers with this mark recorded. It has appeared at auction with Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries, Sale 9042, lot 10127.