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.
Auction
Same office
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 Poonamullee pre stamp cover
COV-522 is a Poonamullee pre stamp cover of 4 July 1832 bearing the Poonamullee HG 3 handstamp, struck in black, recorded in the census of Poonamullee postal history — the office known today as Poonamallee, Madras Presidency. What is a pre stamp cover?
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.
Its recorded auction history runs through Corinphila Auctions lot 5440.
1 image of COV-522 is recorded (front); the Poonamullee HG 3 mark itself is recorded in use 1829–1837.
Questions about COV-522
- What is COV-522?
- COV-522 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Poonamullee, Madras Presidency of 4 July 1832, bearing the Poonamullee HG 3 handstamp in black. 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.
- How scarce is the Poonamullee HG 3 mark on this cover?
- The census grades Poonamullee HG 3 as common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1829–1837.
- What is the provenance of COV-522?
- Its recorded auction history runs through Corinphila Auctions lot 5440.
- When was COV-522 posted?
- COV-522 is dated 4 July 1832, within the recorded period of use of Poonamullee HG 3 (1829–1837).
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.