COV-522
4 July 1832 Poonamullee HG 3 Cover
Scan or Photo Courtesy of Corinphila Auctions
Date
4 July 1832
Description
1832 (July 4): Entire letter to the Secretary of War in London endorsed "From Agnes Sparling Pensioner's Wife" at top, struck on despatch by framed "POONAMALLEE / POST PAID" handstamp, with oval MADRAS datestamp (July 6) both in black and superb (for this) "MADRAS SOLDIERS LETTER / FREE" in red (July 6). Struck on arrival with fine circular "INDIA SOLDIERS / 3 / LONDON" handstamp in black (Robertson In. Sol. 4) - rarely found so fine; this charge deleted and struck with "♚ / FREE" London datestamp (Dec 3) in red. Some docketing but a very fine and rare entire. Note: Agnes Sparling, writing from Poonamallee's Depot, addresses her enquiry to the Secretary of War at Horse Guards. Her husband was invalided home some four years previously from his Regiment and had promised to send money for his wife's support which was not forthcoming. Her father and brother had both recently died and no funds were now available and she asks the Secretary to deduct money from her husband's pension to support herself and two children.
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Other recorded marks at Poonamullee
4 marks4 other pre-1854 postal markings of Poonamullee are recorded in the census. Compare their figure numbers, dates and colours to identify the mark on your cover.
About this record
This 4 July 1832 pre stamp cover of British India bears the Poonamullee HG 3 handstamp of the Madras Presidency, a mark graded “Common” in this census — one of 2 surviving covers with this mark recorded. It has appeared at auction with Corinphila Auctions, lot 5440.