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Hand Struck Stamps

COV-600

30 October 1826 Pondicherry Cover

Back to census|Pondicherry HG 5 · 13 covers recorded
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Pre-stamp cover of India — 30 October 1826, Pondicherry HG 5 handstruck folded letter (COV-600)
front
Pre-stamp cover of India — Pondicherry HG 5, back (COV-600)
back

Scan or Photo Courtesy of Gowtham BJ

Date

30 October 1826

Description

Pondichery 1826 (Oct 30): Cover to the Danish Settlement at Tranquebar, endorsed at top "Post Paid / A 4" in manuscript (prepaid 4 annas on despatch), struck on reverse with fine framed "PONDICHERRY / POST PAID" despatch handstamp in red (Hammond Giles type 5). Illustrated in the London Philatelist, vol. 119, page 336. Addressee's name carefully excised, a rare and early cover to this Danish settlement, eventually purchased by the British in 1845.

Auction

SpinkSpink

The Derek Hammond Giles Collection (Sale 1267), Lot 401, (25 October 2000)

Corinphila AuctionsCorinphila Auctions

Auction 291-297, Lot 503

Provenance

Derek Hammond Giles

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-600 is a Pondicherry pre stamp cover of 30 October 1826 bearing the Pondicherry HG 5 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?

Pondichery 1826 (Oct 30): Cover to the Danish Settlement at Tranquebar, endorsed at top "Post Paid / A 4" in manuscript (prepaid 4 annas on despatch), struck on reverse with fine framed "PONDICHERRY / POST PAID" despatch handstamp in red (Hammond Giles type 5). Illustrated in the London Philatelist, vol. 119, page 336. Addressee's name carefully excised, a rare and early cover to this Danish settlement, eventually purchased by the British in 1845.

Its recorded auction history runs through Spink The Derek Hammond Giles Collection (Sale 1267) lot 401 (25 October 2000); and Corinphila Auctions Auction 291-297 lot 503.

2 images of COV-600 are recorded (front, back); the Pondicherry HG 5 mark itself is recorded in use 1826–1836.

Questions about COV-600

What is COV-600?
COV-600 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Pondicherry, Madras Presidency of 30 October 1826, bearing the Pondicherry HG 5 handstamp in red. Pondichery 1826 (Oct 30): Cover to the Danish Settlement at Tranquebar, endorsed at top "Post Paid / A 4" in manuscript (prepaid 4 annas on despatch), struck on reverse with fine framed "PONDICHERRY / POST PAID" despatch handstamp in red (Hammond Giles type 5). Illustrated in the London Philatelist, vol. 119, page 336. Addressee's name carefully excised, a rare and early cover to this Danish settlement, eventually purchased by the British in 1845.
How scarce is the Pondicherry HG 5 mark on this cover?
The census grades Pondicherry HG 5 as common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1826–1836.
What is the provenance of COV-600?
Its recorded auction history runs through Spink The Derek Hammond Giles Collection (Sale 1267) lot 401 (25 October 2000); and Corinphila Auctions Auction 291-297 lot 503.
When was COV-600 posted?
COV-600 is dated 30 October 1826, within the recorded period of use of Pondicherry HG 5 (1826–1836).

About this record

This 30 October 1826 pre stamp cover of British India bears the Pondicherry HG 5 handstamp of the Madras Presidency, a mark graded “Common” in this census — one of 13 surviving covers with this mark recorded. It has appeared at auction with Spink, The Derek Hammond Giles Collection (Sale 1267), lot 401, (25 October 2000); Corinphila Auctions, Auction 291-297, lot 503.