COV-704 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Pondicherry, Madras Presidency of 1816, bearing the Pondicherry HG 3 handstamp in black. "Post Paid/PONDICHERY" Oval Handstamp (Giles 3). French Settlement cover.

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.

When was COV-704 posted?

COV-704 is dated 1816, within the recorded period of use of Pondicherry HG 3 (1804–1817).

COV-704

1816 Pondicherry Cover

Back to census|Pondicherry HG 3 · 5 covers recorded

← COV-595 COV-3413 →

Pre-stamp cover of India — 1816, Pondicherry HG 3 handstruck folded letter (COV-704) — front

Pre-stamp cover of India — Pondicherry HG 3, back (COV-704) — back

Scan or Photo Courtesy of Siegel Auction Galleries

Date

1816

Description

"Post Paid/PONDICHERY" Oval Handstamp (Giles 3). French Settlement cover.

Auction

Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries

Sale No. 1325, Lot 3237, (2025)

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-704 is a Pondicherry pre stamp cover of 1816 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?

"Post Paid/PONDICHERY" Oval Handstamp (Giles 3). French Settlement cover.

Its recorded auction history runs through Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries Sale No. 1325 lot 3237 (2025).

2 images of COV-704 are recorded (front, back); the Pondicherry HG 3 mark itself is recorded in use 1804–1817.

Questions about COV-704

What is COV-704?: COV-704 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Pondicherry, Madras Presidency of 1816, bearing the Pondicherry HG 3 handstamp in black. "Post Paid/PONDICHERY" Oval Handstamp (Giles 3). French Settlement cover.
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-704?: Its recorded auction history runs through Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries Sale No. 1325 lot 3237 (2025).
When was COV-704 posted?: COV-704 is dated 1816, within the recorded period of use of Pondicherry HG 3 (1804–1817).

About this record

This 1816 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 Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries, Sale No. 1325, lot 3237, (2025).