How scarce is the Samulcotah HG 1a mark on this cover?

The census grades Samulcotah HG 1a as common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1834.

When was COV-1896 posted?

COV-1896 is dated 1834, within the recorded period of use of Samulcotah HG 1a (1834).

COV-1896

1834 Samulcotah Cover

Back to census|Samulcotah HG 1a

Pre-stamp cover of India — 1834, Samulcotah HG 1a handstruck folded letter (COV-1896)

Scan or Photo Courtesy of Spink

Date

1834

Description

1834 (13 April) entire letter from Samulcottah, carried on the 'Frobes' to the "Ship Ann Bell" in Ireland, charged 1r. 9a., the reverse with faint, unrecorded "samulcottah/post paid" in red alongside Madras Outstation dispatch d.s., "india letter/bright", further oval Ship Letter d.s. and London transit. Rare.

Auction

Spink

25016 - Stamps and Covers of Asia, Lot 1103

Same office

Other recorded marks at Samulcotah

3 marks

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

View all Samulcotah marks and postal history →

About this Samulcotah pre stamp cover

COV-1896 is a Samulcotah pre stamp cover of 1834 bearing the Samulcotah HG 1a handstamp, struck in red, recorded in the census of Samulcotah postal history — the office known today as Samalkot, Madras Presidency. What is a pre stamp cover?

Its recorded auction history runs through Spink 25016 - Stamps and Covers of Asia lot 1103.

1 image of COV-1896 is recorded; the Samulcotah HG 1a mark itself is recorded in use 1834.

Questions about COV-1896

What is COV-1896?: COV-1896 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Samulcotah, Madras Presidency of 1834, bearing the Samulcotah HG 1a handstamp in red. 1834 (13 April) entire letter from Samulcottah, carried on the 'Frobes' to the "Ship Ann Bell" in Ireland, charged 1r. 9a., the reverse with faint, unrecorded "samulcottah/post paid" in red alongside Madras Outstation dispatch d.s., "india letter/bright", further oval Ship Letter d.s. and London transit. Rare.
How scarce is the Samulcotah HG 1a mark on this cover?: The census grades Samulcotah HG 1a as common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1834.
What is the provenance of COV-1896?: Its recorded auction history runs through Spink 25016 - Stamps and Covers of Asia lot 1103.
When was COV-1896 posted?: COV-1896 is dated 1834, within the recorded period of use of Samulcotah HG 1a (1834).

About this record

This 1834 pre stamp cover of British India bears the Samulcotah HG 1a 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 Spink, 25016 - Stamps and Covers of Asia, lot 1103.