How scarce is the Pondicherry HG 6 mark on this cover?

The census grades Pondicherry HG 6 as scarce, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1826–1836.

When was COV-625 posted?

COV-625 is dated 4 January 1836, within the recorded period of use of Pondicherry HG 6 (1826–1836).

COV-625

4 January 1836 Pondicherry Cover

Back to census|Pondicherry HG 6 · 8 covers recorded

← COV-336 COV-706 →

Pre-stamp cover of India — 4 January 1836, Pondicherry HG 6 handstruck folded letter (COV-625) — back

Pre-stamp cover of India — Pondicherry HG 6, back (COV-625) — back

Scan or Photo Courtesy of Gowtham BJ

Date

4 January 1836

Description

India, (French Settlement), Pondicherry, 1836, "PONDICHERRY/POST NOT PAID" Framed Handstamp (Giles 6). Watery but bold strike on back of petite folded letter datelined Jan. 4, 1836 and addressed to Madras, Madras (Jan. 6) arrival datestamps, cover with slight soiling, still Very Fine and quite scarce

Auction

Spink

Lot 459, (Dec. 1999)

Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries

The Magnolia Collection: India Stamps and Postal History, Part 3, Lot 3240, (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-625 is a Pondicherry pre stamp cover of 4 January 1836 bearing the Pondicherry HG 6 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 Spink lot 459 (Dec. 1999); and Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries The Magnolia Collection: India Stamps and Postal History, Part 3 lot 3240 (26 Jun 2024).

2 images of COV-625 are recorded (back); the Pondicherry HG 6 mark itself is recorded in use 1826–1836.

Questions about COV-625

What is COV-625?: COV-625 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Pondicherry, Madras Presidency of 4 January 1836, bearing the Pondicherry HG 6 handstamp in black. India, (French Settlement), Pondicherry, 1836, "PONDICHERRY/POST NOT PAID" Framed Handstamp (Giles 6). Watery but bold strike on back of petite folded letter datelined Jan. 4, 1836 and addressed to Madras, Madras (Jan. 6) arrival datestamps, cover with slight soiling, still Very Fine and quite scarce
How scarce is the Pondicherry HG 6 mark on this cover?: The census grades Pondicherry HG 6 as scarce, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1826–1836.
What is the provenance of COV-625?: Its recorded auction history runs through Spink lot 459 (Dec. 1999); and Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries The Magnolia Collection: India Stamps and Postal History, Part 3 lot 3240 (26 Jun 2024).
When was COV-625 posted?: COV-625 is dated 4 January 1836, within the recorded period of use of Pondicherry HG 6 (1826–1836).

About this record

This 4 January 1836 pre stamp cover of British India bears the Pondicherry HG 6 handstamp of the Madras Presidency, a mark graded “Scarce” in this census — one of 8 surviving covers with this mark recorded. It has appeared at auction with Spink, lot 459, (Dec. 1999); Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries, The Magnolia Collection: India Stamps and Postal History, Part 3, lot 3240, (26 Jun 2024).