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Hand Struck Stamps

COV-595

1815 Pondicherry Cover

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Pre-stamp cover of India — 1815, Pondicherry HG 3 handstruck folded letter (COV-595)
front
Pre-stamp cover of India — Pondicherry HG 3, back (COV-595)
back

Scan or Photo Courtesy of Gowtham BJ

Date

1815

Description

1815: Entire letter from Pondichery to Major de Havilland of the Corps of Engineers in Madras, endorsed at top "30th June" and "1½ f." (fanams) - the single letter rate for up to 100 miles. Reverse with fair oval framed "POST PAID / PONDICHERY" handstamp in black. Arricator on reverse but a scarce and very early entire.

Auction

Corinphila AuctionsCorinphila Auctions

Auction 291-297, Lot 501

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-595 is a Pondicherry pre stamp cover of 1815 bearing the Pondicherry HG 3 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?

1815: Entire letter from Pondichery to Major de Havilland of the Corps of Engineers in Madras, endorsed at top "30th June" and "1½ f." (fanams) - the single letter rate for up to 100 miles. Reverse with fair oval framed "POST PAID / PONDICHERY" handstamp in black. Arricator on reverse but a scarce and very early entire.

Its recorded auction history runs through Corinphila Auctions Auction 291-297 lot 501.

2 images of COV-595 are recorded (front, back); the Pondicherry HG 3 mark itself is recorded in use 1804–1817.

Questions about COV-595

What is COV-595?
COV-595 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Pondicherry, Madras Presidency of 1815, bearing the Pondicherry HG 3 handstamp in black. 1815: Entire letter from Pondichery to Major de Havilland of the Corps of Engineers in Madras, endorsed at top "30th June" and "1½ f." (fanams) - the single letter rate for up to 100 miles. Reverse with fair oval framed "POST PAID / PONDICHERY" handstamp in black. Arricator on reverse but a scarce and very early entire.
How scarce is the Pondicherry HG 3 mark on this cover?
The census grades Pondicherry HG 3 as rare, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1804–1817.
What is the provenance of COV-595?
Its recorded auction history runs through Corinphila Auctions Auction 291-297 lot 501.
When was COV-595 posted?
COV-595 is dated 1815, within the recorded period of use of Pondicherry HG 3 (1804–1817).

About this record

This 1815 pre stamp cover of British India bears the Pondicherry HG 3 handstamp of the Madras Presidency, a mark graded “Rare” in this census — one of 5 surviving covers with this mark recorded. It has appeared at auction with Corinphila Auctions, Auction 291-297, lot 501.