How scarce is the Quilon HG 4 mark on this cover?

The census grades Quilon HG 4 as common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1840.

When was COV-3753 posted?

COV-3753 is dated 5 July 1840, within the recorded period of use of Quilon HG 4 (1840).

COV-3753

5 July 1840 Quilon Cover

Back to census|Quilon HG 4

Pre-stamp cover of India — 5 July 1840, Quilon HG 4 handstruck folded letter (COV-3753)

Pre-stamp cover of India — Quilon HG 4, scan 2 (COV-3753)

Scan or Photo Courtesy of Sephils

Date

5 July 1840

Description

India 1840 Quilon (Giles Type 4) to Madras official mail pre-stamp entire with 'Quilon Free' and 'Quilon Paid' strikes in red, featuring GPO Madras strike. Historical postal service item.

Auction

Sephils

471, Lot 0096, (2025)

Same office

Other recorded marks at Quilon

6 marks

6 other pre-1854 postal markings of Quilon are recorded in the census. Compare their figure numbers, dates and colours to identify the mark on your cover.

View all Quilon marks and postal history →

About this Quilon pre stamp cover

COV-3753 is a Quilon pre stamp cover of 5 July 1840 bearing the Quilon HG 4 handstamp, struck in red, recorded in the census of Quilon postal history — the office known today as Kollam, Madras Presidency. What is a pre stamp cover?

India 1840 Quilon (Giles Type 4) to Madras official mail pre-stamp entire with 'Quilon Free' and 'Quilon Paid' strikes in red, featuring GPO Madras strike. Historical postal service item.

Its recorded auction history runs through Sephils 471 lot 0096 (2025).

2 images of COV-3753 are recorded; the Quilon HG 4 mark itself is recorded in use 1840.

Questions about COV-3753

What is COV-3753?: COV-3753 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Quilon, Madras Presidency of 5 July 1840, bearing the Quilon HG 4 handstamp in red. India 1840 Quilon (Giles Type 4) to Madras official mail pre-stamp entire with 'Quilon Free' and 'Quilon Paid' strikes in red, featuring GPO Madras strike. Historical postal service item.
How scarce is the Quilon HG 4 mark on this cover?: The census grades Quilon HG 4 as common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1840.
What is the provenance of COV-3753?: Its recorded auction history runs through Sephils 471 lot 0096 (2025).
When was COV-3753 posted?: COV-3753 is dated 5 July 1840, within the recorded period of use of Quilon HG 4 (1840).

About this record

This 5 July 1840 pre stamp cover of British India bears the Quilon HG 4 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 Sephils, 471, lot 0096, (2025).