Scan or Photo Courtesy of ava auctions
Date
1842
Description
5 March 1842, Ningpo; Engaging the Battle of Ningpo The postscript of the letter describes the fighting of the batter in Ningpo: “……The operation this year will be carried on in the central provinces, unless an order compels Sir Hugh (Gough) to move upon Pekin and large reinforcement join us. About 40 miles from us is a force of about 20,000 Chinese but we know that they do not mean fight, and it is hopeless to get them to stand their ground. They are fortifying themselves with all their might. I believe the most likely thing to happen is that in about 6 weeks or 2 months, we shall take Chapoo, the town on the North side of the Hangchoo for Estuary, and at the same time advance by land, drive the Chinese from their position at Tsouno-O and get to the river bank opposite Hangchoofoo, collect boats and force the papage …… If the Emperor does not yield when we are on the main artery of the country, it is hoped by all that we shall set up a sovereign over Sothern China, with the Yangtse(kiang) for a boundary, and that toll upon the corn trade to the capital for ever ……” On the top of the address panel, it indicates “China Expedition Letter – Free”. According to the India Post Master General, who issued a notification in the Calcutta Gazette dated 22 April 1840, the officer mails from China Expedition will be free of charge. However, it is strange that incoming ship postage in India was actually taken despite the government order and subsequent post office notification. The sender endorsed the letter “China Expedition letter Free” but it was ignored!
Auction
SPRING AUCTION 9, Lot 2557
Same office
Other recorded marks at Rajamundry
2 marks2 other pre-1854 postal markings of Rajamundry are recorded in the census. Compare their figure numbers, dates and colours to identify the mark on your cover.
About this Rajamundry pre stamp cover
COV-1725 is a Rajamundry pre stamp cover of 1842 bearing the Rajamundry HG 2 handstamp, struck in black, recorded in the census of Rajamundry postal history — the office known today as Rajamahendravaram, Madras Presidency. What is a pre stamp cover?
5 March 1842, Ningpo; Engaging the Battle of Ningpo The postscript of the letter describes the fighting of the batter in Ningpo: “……The operation this year will be carried on in the central provinces, unless an order compels Sir Hugh (Gough) to move upon Pekin and large reinforcement join us. About 40 miles from us is a force of about 20,000 Chinese but we know that they do not mean fight, and it is hopeless to get them to stand their ground. They are fortifying themselves with all their might. I believe the most likely thing to happen is that in about 6 weeks or 2 months, we shall take Chapoo, the town on the North side of the Hangchoo for Estuary, and at the same time advance by land, drive the Chinese from their position at Tsouno-O and get to the river bank opposite Hangchoofoo, collect boats and force the papage …… If the Emperor does not yield when we are on the main artery of the country, it is hoped by all that we shall set up a sovereign over Sothern China, with the Yangtse(kiang) for a boundary, and that toll upon the corn trade to the capital for ever ……” On the top of the address panel, it indicates “China Expedition Letter – Free”. According to the India Post Master General, who issued a notification in the Calcutta Gazette dated 22 April 1840, the officer mails from China Expedition will be free of charge. However, it is strange that incoming ship postage in India was actually taken despite the government order and subsequent post office notification. The sender endorsed the letter “China Expedition letter Free” but it was ignored!
Its recorded auction history runs through Ava Auctions SPRING AUCTION 9 lot 2557.
1 image of COV-1725 is recorded; the Rajamundry HG 2 mark itself is recorded in use 1839–1854.
Questions about COV-1725
- What is COV-1725?
- COV-1725 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Rajamundry, Madras Presidency of 1842, bearing the Rajamundry HG 2 handstamp in black. 5 March 1842, Ningpo; Engaging the Battle of Ningpo The postscript of the letter describes the fighting of the batter in Ningpo: “……The operation this year will be carried on in the central provinces, unless an order compels Sir Hugh (Gough) to move upon Pekin and large reinforcement join us. About 40 miles from us is a force of about 20,000 Chinese but we know that they do not mean fight, and it is hopeless to get them to stand their ground. They are fortifying themselves with all their might. I believe the most likely thing to happen is that in about 6 weeks or 2 months, we shall take Chapoo, the town on the North side of the Hangchoo for Estuary, and at the same time advance by land, drive the Chinese from their position at Tsouno-O and get to the river bank opposite Hangchoofoo, collect boats and force the papage …… If the Emperor does not yield when we are on the main artery of the country, it is hoped by all that we shall set up a sovereign over Sothern China, with the Yangtse(kiang) for a boundary, and that toll upon the corn trade to the capital for ever ……” On the top of the address panel, it indicates “China Expedition Letter – Free”. According to the India Post Master General, who issued a notification in the Calcutta Gazette dated 22 April 1840, the officer mails from China Expedition will be free of charge. However, it is strange that incoming ship postage in India was actually taken despite the government order and subsequent post office notification. The sender endorsed the letter “China Expedition letter Free” but it was ignored!
- How scarce is the Rajamundry HG 2 mark on this cover?
- The census grades Rajamundry HG 2 as common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1839–1854.
- What is the provenance of COV-1725?
- Its recorded auction history runs through Ava Auctions SPRING AUCTION 9 lot 2557.
- When was COV-1725 posted?
- COV-1725 is dated 1842, within the recorded period of use of Rajamundry HG 2 (1839–1854).
About this record
This 1842 pre stamp cover of British India bears the Rajamundry HG 2 handstamp of the Madras Presidency, a mark graded “Common” in this census — one of 8 surviving covers with this mark recorded. It has appeared at auction with Ava Auctions, SPRING AUCTION 9, lot 2557.