How scarce is the Salem HG 2 mark on this cover?

The census grades Salem HG 2 as common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1829–1831.

When was COV-819 posted?

COV-819 is dated 7 January 1831, within the recorded period of use of Salem HG 2 (1829–1831).

COV-819

7 January 1831 Salem Cover

Back to census|Salem HG 2 · 3 covers recorded

← COV-497

Pre-stamp cover of India — 7 January 1831, Salem HG 2 handstruck folded letter (COV-819)

Scan or Photo Courtesy of Kishore Chandak

Date

7 January 1831

Description

1831 : H.G. 2 : Salem, headquarters of Salem District, Madras Presidency, is 206 miles from Madras. By treaty with Haider Ali's son in 1872, the District, except Oosoor fell to the Company. A letter from Salem stamped "SALEM/POSTPAID" on 7th January 1831 with 9 annas inland postage to Madras. Here it was stamped "MADRAS/9 JA 9/1831" & the oval OUTSTATION SHIP LETTER/MADRAS" was put as a transit mark.

Auction

Spink

Giles, Lot 343, (Oct. 2000)

Provenance

Derek Hammond Giles

Same office

Other recorded marks at Salem

5 marks

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

View all Salem marks and postal history →

About this Salem pre stamp cover

COV-819 is a Salem pre stamp cover of 7 January 1831 bearing the Salem HG 2 handstamp, struck in red, recorded in the census of Salem postal history, Madras Presidency. What is a pre stamp cover?

Its recorded auction history runs through Spink Giles lot 343 (Oct. 2000).

1 image of COV-819 is recorded; the Salem HG 2 mark itself is recorded in use 1829–1831.

Questions about COV-819

What is COV-819?: COV-819 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Salem, Madras Presidency of 7 January 1831, bearing the Salem HG 2 handstamp in red. 1831 : H.G. 2 : Salem, headquarters of Salem District, Madras Presidency, is 206 miles from Madras. By treaty with Haider Ali's son in 1872, the District, except Oosoor fell to the Company. A letter from Salem stamped "SALEM/POSTPAID" on 7th January 1831 with 9 annas inland postage to Madras. Here it was stamped "MADRAS/9 JA 9/1831" & the oval OUTSTATION SHIP LETTER/MADRAS" was put as a transit mark.
How scarce is the Salem HG 2 mark on this cover?: The census grades Salem HG 2 as common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1829–1831.
What is the provenance of COV-819?: Its recorded auction history runs through Spink Giles lot 343 (Oct. 2000).
When was COV-819 posted?: COV-819 is dated 7 January 1831, within the recorded period of use of Salem HG 2 (1829–1831).

About this record

This 7 January 1831 pre stamp cover of British India bears the Salem HG 2 handstamp of the Madras Presidency, a mark graded “Common” in this census — one of 3 surviving covers with this mark recorded. It has appeared at auction with Spink, Giles, lot 343, (Oct. 2000).