How scarce is the Pondicherry HG 9 mark on this cover?

The census grades Pondicherry HG 9 as common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1839.

When was COV-1318 posted?

COV-1318 is dated 8 March 1839, within the recorded period of use of Pondicherry HG 9 (1839).

COV-1318

8 March 1839 Pondicherry Cover

Back to census|Pondicherry HG 9

Pre-stamp cover of India — 8 March 1839, Pondicherry HG 9 handstruck folded letter (COV-1318)

Scan or Photo Courtesy of Spink

Date

8 March 1839

Description

Pondicherry: 1839 (8 Mar.) "Service" entire letter to Injeram showing a fine strike of the very rare oval framed "PONDICHERRY/FREE" in red with date in manuscript (HG 9), also a similar strike for Injeram applied over boxed "Paid" handstamp. One of the most important postal history items of the French Settlements.

Auction

Spink

Lot 461

Provenance

Dr. Soli Contractor

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-1318 is a Pondicherry pre stamp cover of 8 March 1839 bearing the Pondicherry HG 9 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 Spink lot 461.

1 image of COV-1318 is recorded; the Pondicherry HG 9 mark itself is recorded in use 1839.

Questions about COV-1318

What is COV-1318?: COV-1318 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Pondicherry, Madras Presidency of 8 March 1839, bearing the Pondicherry HG 9 handstamp in red. Pondicherry: 1839 (8 Mar.) "Service" entire letter to Injeram showing a fine strike of the very rare oval framed "PONDICHERRY/FREE" in red with date in manuscript (HG 9), also a similar strike for Injeram applied over boxed "Paid" handstamp. One of the most important postal history items of the French Settlements.
How scarce is the Pondicherry HG 9 mark on this cover?: The census grades Pondicherry HG 9 as common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1839.
What is the provenance of COV-1318?: Its recorded auction history runs through Spink lot 461.
When was COV-1318 posted?: COV-1318 is dated 8 March 1839, within the recorded period of use of Pondicherry HG 9 (1839).

About this record

This 8 March 1839 pre stamp cover of British India bears the Pondicherry HG 9 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 Spink, lot 461.