Scan or Photo Courtesy of Siegel Auction Galleries
Date
30 September 1822
Description
INDIA, (Dutch Settlement), Sadras, 1822, "SADRAS/POST PAID" Handstamp (Giles 1). Faint but complete and clear oval strike on back of folded letter with manuscript "30th Sept. 1822" despatch docketing, addressed to Major de Havilland in Madras, manuscript "as 2" and "Post Paid", Madras Oct. 1 arrival datestamp (Giles MX3) FINE. THIS IS THE ONLY RECORDED STRIKE OF THIS SADRAS HANDSTAMP. A MAJOR DUTCH INDIA SETTLEMENT POSTMARK RARITY. Sadras is located about 35 miles south of Madras. The Dutch arrived in 1647 and maintained control until the British overtook the settlement in 1795. It was handed back to the Dutch in 1818 and, along with all other Indian settlements, sold back to the British in 1825. This letter was written during that short seven-year period of the second Dutch occupation.
Auction
Sale 1301, Lot 6043
Provenance
"Magnolia"
Same office
Other recorded marks at Sadrass
1 markOne other pre-1854 postal marking of Sadrass is recorded in the census. Compare it against this mark to place your cover.
About this record
This 30 September 1822 pre stamp cover of British India bears the Sadrass HG 1 handstamp of the Madras Presidency, a mark with 2 examples recorded in this census — one of 2 surviving covers with this mark recorded. It has appeared at auction with Spink, lot 718, (Oct. 2000); Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries, Sale 1301, lot 6043.