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.

When was COV-712 posted?

COV-712 is dated 8 April 1830, within the recorded period of use of Pondicherry HG 5 (1826–1836).

COV-712

8 April 1830 Pondicherry Cover

Back to census|Pondicherry HG 5 · 13 covers recorded

← COV-705 COV-915 →

Pre-stamp cover of India — 8 April 1830, Pondicherry HG 5 handstruck folded letter (COV-712) — front

Pre-stamp cover of India — Pondicherry HG 5, back (COV-712) — back

Scan or Photo Courtesy of Siegel Auction Galleries

Date

8 April 1830

Description

INDIA, (French Settlement), Pondicherry, 1830, "PONDICHERRY/POSTPAID" Handstamp (Giles 5). Clear red oval strike on back of folded letter datelined Apr. 8, 1830, to Karikal, manuscript "P.P." (Postage Paid) and "As 4" on back indicating amount paid, Very Fine and scarce marking, especially so used between French Settlements in India

Auction

Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries

The Magnolia Collection: India Stamps and Postal History, Part 3, Lot 6150, (26 Jun 2024)

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-712 is a Pondicherry pre stamp cover of 8 April 1830 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?

Its recorded auction history runs through Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries The Magnolia Collection: India Stamps and Postal History, Part 3 lot 6150 (26 Jun 2024).

2 images of COV-712 are recorded (front, back); the Pondicherry HG 5 mark itself is recorded in use 1826–1836.

Questions about COV-712

What is COV-712?: COV-712 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Pondicherry, Madras Presidency of 8 April 1830, bearing the Pondicherry HG 5 handstamp in red. INDIA, (French Settlement), Pondicherry, 1830, "PONDICHERRY/POSTPAID" Handstamp (Giles 5). Clear red oval strike on back of folded letter datelined Apr. 8, 1830, to Karikal, manuscript "P.P." (Postage Paid) and "As 4" on back indicating amount paid, Very Fine and scarce marking, especially so used between French Settlements in India
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-712?: Its recorded auction history runs through Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries The Magnolia Collection: India Stamps and Postal History, Part 3 lot 6150 (26 Jun 2024).
When was COV-712 posted?: COV-712 is dated 8 April 1830, within the recorded period of use of Pondicherry HG 5 (1826–1836).

About this record

This 8 April 1830 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 Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries, The Magnolia Collection: India Stamps and Postal History, Part 3, lot 6150, (26 Jun 2024).