How scarce is the Pondicherry HG 7 mark on this cover?

The census grades Pondicherry HG 7 as common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1838–1851.

When was COV-337 posted?

COV-337 is dated 21 March 1842, within the recorded period of use of Pondicherry HG 7 (1838–1851).

COV-337

21 March 1842 Pondicherry Cover

Back to census|Pondicherry HG 7 · 17 covers recorded

COV-594 →

Pre-stamp cover of India — 21 March 1842, Pondicherry HG 7 handstruck folded letter (COV-337) — front

Pre-stamp cover of India — Pondicherry HG 7, back (COV-337) — back

Scan or Photo Courtesy of Siegel Auction Galleries

Date

21 March 1842

Description

India, French Settlement, Pondicherry, 1842, "PONDICHERY/Paid" Framed Handstamp (Giles 7). Faint but clear strike in red with manuscript "21 March 1842" date and "R1-A3" rate markings on back of folded letter to Bordeaux, France, sender's directive "pr Steamer via Bombay" and " via Marseille" , red "INDIA" in oval and red framed "Paquebots de la Mediterranee" handstamps, Marseilles (Apr. 30) transit and Bordeaux (May 3) arrival backstamps, manuscript "12" rate marking, Very Fine

Auction

Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries

Sale 9020, Lot 10148, — The Magnolia Collection Part 5

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-337 is a Pondicherry pre stamp cover of 21 March 1842 bearing the Pondicherry HG 7 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 Sale 9020 lot 10148.

2 images of COV-337 are recorded (front, back); the Pondicherry HG 7 mark itself is recorded in use 1838–1851.

Questions about COV-337

What is COV-337?: COV-337 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Pondicherry, Madras Presidency of 21 March 1842, bearing the Pondicherry HG 7 handstamp in red. India, French Settlement, Pondicherry, 1842, "PONDICHERY/Paid" Framed Handstamp (Giles 7). Faint but clear strike in red with manuscript "21 March 1842" date and "R1-A3" rate markings on back of folded letter to Bordeaux, France, sender's directive "pr Steamer via Bombay" and " via Marseille" , red "INDIA" in oval and red framed "Paquebots de la Mediterranee" handstamps, Marseilles (Apr. 30) transit and Bordeaux (May 3) arrival backstamps, manuscript "12" rate marking, Very Fine
How scarce is the Pondicherry HG 7 mark on this cover?: The census grades Pondicherry HG 7 as common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1838–1851.
What is the provenance of COV-337?: Its recorded auction history runs through Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries Sale 9020 lot 10148.
When was COV-337 posted?: COV-337 is dated 21 March 1842, within the recorded period of use of Pondicherry HG 7 (1838–1851).

About this record

This 21 March 1842 pre stamp cover of British India bears the Pondicherry HG 7 handstamp of the Madras Presidency, a mark graded “Common” in this census — one of 17 surviving covers with this mark recorded. It has appeared at auction with Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries, Sale 9020, lot 10148.