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-597 posted?

COV-597 is dated 1839, within the recorded period of use of Pondicherry HG 7 (1838–1851).

COV-597

1839 Pondicherry Cover

Back to census|Pondicherry HG 7 · 17 covers recorded

← COV-594 COV-602 →

Pre-stamp cover of India — 1839, Pondicherry HG 7 handstruck folded letter (COV-597) — front

Pre-stamp cover of India — Pondicherry HG 7, back (COV-597) — back

Scan or Photo Courtesy of Gowtham BJ

Date

1839

Description

1839 (June 22): Entire letter from Pondichery to Nantes with reverse showing framed "PONDICHERY / Paid" despatch in red annotated "1 Rs. 5 As. Steamer and Inland Postage / Paid in India" in manuscript, superb "OUT STATION / MADRAS / SHIP LETTER" in black (June 23). Oval "INDIA" in red and rare "INDES / ALEXANDRIE" cds in black (Aug 17) and framed "Paquebots / De La Mediteranée" in red. Circular "Purifié au Lazaret au Malte" disinfection cachet and charged '17' décimes due on arrival. A superb entire with all markings very fine.

Auction

Corinphila Auctions

Auction 291-297, Lot 506

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-597 is a Pondicherry pre stamp cover of 1839 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 Corinphila Auctions Auction 291-297 lot 506.

2 images of COV-597 are recorded (front, back); the Pondicherry HG 7 mark itself is recorded in use 1838–1851.

Questions about COV-597

What is COV-597?: COV-597 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Pondicherry, Madras Presidency of 1839, bearing the Pondicherry HG 7 handstamp in red. 1839 (June 22): Entire letter from Pondichery to Nantes with reverse showing framed "PONDICHERY / Paid" despatch in red annotated "1 Rs. 5 As. Steamer and Inland Postage / Paid in India" in manuscript, superb "OUT STATION / MADRAS / SHIP LETTER" in black (June 23). Oval "INDIA" in red and rare "INDES / ALEXANDRIE" cds in black (Aug 17) and framed "Paquebots / De La Mediteranée" in red. Circular "Purifié au Lazaret au Malte" disinfection cachet and charged '17' décimes due on arrival. A superb entire with all markings 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-597?: Its recorded auction history runs through Corinphila Auctions Auction 291-297 lot 506.
When was COV-597 posted?: COV-597 is dated 1839, within the recorded period of use of Pondicherry HG 7 (1838–1851).

About this record

This 1839 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 Corinphila Auctions, Auction 291-297, lot 506.