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

The census grades Secunderabad HG 2 as common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1838–1858.

When was COV-4917 posted?

COV-4917 is dated 1855, within the recorded period of use of Secunderabad HG 2 (1838–1858).

COV-4917

1855 Secunderabad Cover

Back to census|Secunderabad HG 2 · 8 covers recorded

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Pre-stamp cover of India — 1855, Secunderabad HG 2 handstruck folded letter (COV-4917)

Scan or Photo Courtesy of Grosvenor Auctions

Date

1855

Description

India: Cancellations and Covers: 1855 (July 6) entire to Secunderabad franked 1/2a. cut close and tied by dotted rhombus (9 x 10) cancellation and manuscript “Stamped”. Reverse with framed Paid marks of Chicacole (Giles type 1) and Secunderabad (Giles type 2). Photo.

Auction

Grosvenor Philatelic Auctions

GPA 174: British Empire & Foreign Countries, Lot 1110, (2026)

Grosvenor Philatelic Auctions

GPA 171: British Empire and Foreign Countries, Lot 1415, (2026)

Same office

Other recorded marks at Secunderabad

6 marks

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

View all Secunderabad marks and postal history →

About this Secunderabad pre stamp cover

COV-4917 is a Secunderabad pre stamp cover of 1855 bearing the Secunderabad HG 2 handstamp, struck in red, recorded in the census of Secunderabad postal history, Madras Presidency. What is a pre stamp cover?

Its recorded auction history runs through Grosvenor Philatelic Auctions GPA 174: British Empire & Foreign Countries lot 1110 (2026); and Grosvenor Philatelic Auctions GPA 171: British Empire and Foreign Countries lot 1415 (2026).

1 image of COV-4917 is recorded; the Secunderabad HG 2 mark itself is recorded in use 1838–1858.

Questions about COV-4917

What is COV-4917?: COV-4917 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Secunderabad, Madras Presidency of 1855, bearing the Secunderabad HG 2 handstamp in red. India: Cancellations and Covers: 1855 (July 6) entire to Secunderabad franked 1/2a. cut close and tied by dotted rhombus (9 x 10) cancellation and manuscript “Stamped”. Reverse with framed Paid marks of Chicacole (Giles type 1) and Secunderabad (Giles type 2). Photo.
How scarce is the Secunderabad HG 2 mark on this cover?: The census grades Secunderabad HG 2 as common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1838–1858.
What is the provenance of COV-4917?: Its recorded auction history runs through Grosvenor Philatelic Auctions GPA 174: British Empire & Foreign Countries lot 1110 (2026); and Grosvenor Philatelic Auctions GPA 171: British Empire and Foreign Countries lot 1415 (2026).
When was COV-4917 posted?: COV-4917 is dated 1855, within the recorded period of use of Secunderabad HG 2 (1838–1858).

About this record

This 1855 pre stamp cover of British India bears the Secunderabad 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 Grosvenor Philatelic Auctions, GPA 174: British Empire & Foreign Countries, lot 1110, (2026); Grosvenor Philatelic Auctions, GPA 171: British Empire and Foreign Countries, lot 1415, (2026).