How scarce is the Pondicherry HG 8 mark on this cover?

The census grades Pondicherry HG 8 as common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1839–1841.

When was COV-596 posted?

COV-596 is dated 1841, within the recorded period of use of Pondicherry HG 8 (1839–1841).

COV-596

1841 Pondicherry Cover

Back to census|Pondicherry HG 8

Pre-stamp cover of India — 1841, Pondicherry HG 8 handstruck folded letter (COV-596) — front

Pre-stamp cover of India — Pondicherry HG 8, back (COV-596) — back

Scan or Photo Courtesy of Gowtham BJ

Date

1841

Description

1841 (Feb 9): Entire letter from Pondichery to Singapore, sent care of Forwarding Agents "Fraser MacDonald & Co." in Calcutta, struck with framed "PONDICHERY / Bearing" handstamp in black (March 27) and rated "14 Annas" in manuscript, with two Madras 'GPO' handstamps in red (March 27), endorsed by ship "Falcon" from Madras to Calcutta. Some acid ink imperfections but a scarce entire that opens well for Exhibit display.

Auction

Corinphila Auctions

Auction 291-297, Lot 507

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-596 is a Pondicherry pre stamp cover of 1841 bearing the Pondicherry HG 8 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 Corinphila Auctions Auction 291-297 lot 507.

2 images of COV-596 are recorded (front, back); the Pondicherry HG 8 mark itself is recorded in use 1839–1841.

Questions about COV-596

What is COV-596?: COV-596 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Pondicherry, Madras Presidency of 1841, bearing the Pondicherry HG 8 handstamp in black. 1841 (Feb 9): Entire letter from Pondichery to Singapore, sent care of Forwarding Agents "Fraser MacDonald & Co." in Calcutta, struck with framed "PONDICHERY / Bearing" handstamp in black (March 27) and rated "14 Annas" in manuscript, with two Madras 'GPO' handstamps in red (March 27), endorsed by ship "Falcon" from Madras to Calcutta. Some acid ink imperfections but a scarce entire that opens well for Exhibit display.
How scarce is the Pondicherry HG 8 mark on this cover?: The census grades Pondicherry HG 8 as common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1839–1841.
What is the provenance of COV-596?: Its recorded auction history runs through Corinphila Auctions Auction 291-297 lot 507.
When was COV-596 posted?: COV-596 is dated 1841, within the recorded period of use of Pondicherry HG 8 (1839–1841).

About this record

This 1841 pre stamp cover of British India bears the Pondicherry HG 8 handstamp of the Madras Presidency, a mark graded “Common” in this census — the only surviving cover with this mark recorded so far. It has appeared at auction with Corinphila Auctions, Auction 291-297, lot 507.