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-603 posted?

COV-603 is dated 1842, within the recorded period of use of Pondicherry HG 7 (1838–1851).

COV-603

1842 Pondicherry Cover

Back to census|Pondicherry HG 7 · 17 covers recorded

← COV-602 COV-1405 →

Pre-stamp cover of India — 1842, Pondicherry HG 7 handstruck folded letter (COV-603) — front

Pre-stamp cover of India — Pondicherry HG 7, back (COV-603) — back

Scan or Photo Courtesy of Gowtham BJ

Date

1842

Description

1842: Entire letter from Pondichery to Bordeaux, endorsed "By Steamer via Suez & Marseille" struck with framed "PONDICHERY / Paid" handstamp in red (Sept 18) and rated "14 Annas" in manuscript, with "Steamer and Inland p.p. in India" alongside, carried on East India Co. "Cleopatra" via Suez, struck with oval framed "INDIA" and "Paquebots / de la / Mediterranée" in red; thence via Malta on P&O "Great Liverpool" and the "HMS Polythemus" to Marseille. Rated '19' décime due on arrival (Nov 6). An attractive entire that opens well for Exhibit display.

Auction

Corinphila Auctions

Auction 291-297, Lot 508

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-603 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?

Its recorded auction history runs through Corinphila Auctions Auction 291-297 lot 508.

2 images of COV-603 are recorded (front, back); the Pondicherry HG 7 mark itself is recorded in use 1838–1851.

Questions about COV-603

What is COV-603?: COV-603 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 "By Steamer via Suez & Marseille" struck with framed "PONDICHERY / Paid" handstamp in red (Sept 18) and rated "14 Annas" in manuscript, with "Steamer and Inland p.p. in India" alongside, carried on East India Co. "Cleopatra" via Suez, struck with oval framed "INDIA" and "Paquebots / de la / Mediterranée" in red; thence via Malta on P&O "Great Liverpool" and the "HMS Polythemus" 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-603?: Its recorded auction history runs through Corinphila Auctions Auction 291-297 lot 508.
When was COV-603 posted?: COV-603 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 508.