Scan or Photo Courtesy of Gowtham BJ
Date
1842
Description
1842: Entire letter from Pondichery to Bordeaux, endorsed "Per Overland Express via Marseille" struck with framed "PONDICHERY / Paid" handstamp in red (Dec 24) and rated "1r. 3 Annas" in manuscript (above 1 tola), with "Steamer and Inland paid in India" alongside and "Express Postage 8 annas" (to Bombay), carried from Madras to Bombay at express rate and then on East India Co. "Cleopatra" via Suez, struck with oval framed "INDIA" and small cartridge "Paquebots / de la / Mediterranée" in red; thence via Malta on P&O "Orient" and the "HMS Prometheus" to Marseille. Rated '19' décime due on arrival (Nov 6). An attractive entire that opens well for Exhibit display.
Auction
Auction 291-297, Lot 509
Same office
Other recorded marks at Pondicherry
15 marks15 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.
- Pondicherry HG 1handstampBlack1786–1823
- Pondicherry HG 1ahandstampBlack1818
- Pondicherry HG 2handstampBlack1795
- Pondicherry HG 3handstampBlack1804–1817
- Pondicherry HG 3AhandstampBlack1801
- Pondicherry HG 4handstampBlack1804–1815
+9 more at this office.View all Pondicherry marks and postal history →
About this Pondicherry pre stamp cover
COV-602 is a Pondicherry pre stamp cover of 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?
1842: Entire letter from Pondichery to Bordeaux, endorsed "Per Overland Express via Marseille" struck with framed "PONDICHERY / Paid" handstamp in red (Dec 24) and rated "1r. 3 Annas" in manuscript (above 1 tola), with "Steamer and Inland paid in India" alongside and "Express Postage 8 annas" (to Bombay), carried from Madras to Bombay at express rate and then on East India Co. "Cleopatra" via Suez, struck with oval framed "INDIA" and small cartridge "Paquebots / de la / Mediterranée" in red; thence via Malta on P&O "Orient" and the "HMS Prometheus" to Marseille. Rated '19' décime due on arrival (Nov 6). An attractive entire that opens well for Exhibit display.
Its recorded auction history runs through Corinphila Auctions Auction 291-297 lot 509.
1 image of COV-602 is recorded (front); the Pondicherry HG 7 mark itself is recorded in use 1838–1851.
Questions about COV-602
- What is COV-602?
- COV-602 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Pondicherry, Madras Presidency of 1842, bearing the Pondicherry HG 7 handstamp in red. 1842: Entire letter from Pondichery to Bordeaux, endorsed "Per Overland Express via Marseille" struck with framed "PONDICHERY / Paid" handstamp in red (Dec 24) and rated "1r. 3 Annas" in manuscript (above 1 tola), with "Steamer and Inland paid in India" alongside and "Express Postage 8 annas" (to Bombay), carried from Madras to Bombay at express rate and then on East India Co. "Cleopatra" via Suez, struck with oval framed "INDIA" and small cartridge "Paquebots / de la / Mediterranée" in red; thence via Malta on P&O "Orient" and the "HMS Prometheus" to Marseille. Rated '19' décime due on arrival (Nov 6). An attractive entire that opens well for Exhibit display.
- 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-602?
- Its recorded auction history runs through Corinphila Auctions Auction 291-297 lot 509.
- When was COV-602 posted?
- COV-602 is dated 1842, within the recorded period of use of Pondicherry HG 7 (1838–1851).
About this record
This 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 Corinphila Auctions, Auction 291-297, lot 509.