How scarce is the Secunderabad HG 3 mark on this cover?

The census grades Secunderabad HG 3 as common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1838–1853.

When was COV-313 posted?

COV-313 is dated 1838, within the recorded period of use of Secunderabad HG 3 (1838–1853).

COV-313

1838 Secunderabad Cover

Back to census|Secunderabad HG 3 · 4 covers recorded

COV-896 →

Pre-stamp cover of India — 1838, Secunderabad HG 3 handstruck folded letter (COV-313) — front

Pre-stamp cover of India — Secunderabad HG 3, back (COV-313) — back

Scan or Photo Courtesy of Siegel Auction Galleries

Date

1838

Description

India, Secunderabad, 1838, "SECUNDERABAD/1838 February 4/FREE" Oval Datestamp (Giles 3). Exceptional strike in red on back of large part folded cover (missing side flaps) to Archdeacon H. Harper in Madras, originally struck with "SECUNDERABAD/1838 February ?/Paid" (Giles 2) but subsequently crossed out (causing heavy ink erosion), framed "AM" handstamp, Madras (Feb. 9) arrival datestamp, cover toned, rebacked to help strengthen ink eroded areas, and mild file fold thru markings, still an Extremely Fine strike of this marking, likely the finest strike and the exact example used by Giles for his book

Auction

Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries

Sale 9020, Lot 10123, — The Magnolia Collection Part 5

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-313 is a Secunderabad pre stamp cover of 1838 bearing the Secunderabad HG 3 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 Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries Sale 9020 lot 10123.

2 images of COV-313 are recorded (front, back); the Secunderabad HG 3 mark itself is recorded in use 1838–1853.

Questions about COV-313

What is COV-313?: COV-313 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Secunderabad, Madras Presidency of 1838, bearing the Secunderabad HG 3 handstamp in red. India, Secunderabad, 1838, "SECUNDERABAD/1838 February 4/FREE" Oval Datestamp (Giles 3). Exceptional strike in red on back of large part folded cover (missing side flaps) to Archdeacon H. Harper in Madras, originally struck with "SECUNDERABAD/1838 February ?/Paid" (Giles 2) but subsequently crossed out (causing heavy ink erosion), framed "AM" handstamp, Madras (Feb. 9) arrival datestamp, cover toned, rebacked to help strengthen ink eroded areas, and mild file fold thru markings, still an Extremely Fine strike of this marking, likely the finest strike and the exact example used by Giles for his book
How scarce is the Secunderabad HG 3 mark on this cover?: The census grades Secunderabad HG 3 as common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1838–1853.
What is the provenance of COV-313?: Its recorded auction history runs through Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries Sale 9020 lot 10123.
When was COV-313 posted?: COV-313 is dated 1838, within the recorded period of use of Secunderabad HG 3 (1838–1853).

About this record

This 1838 pre stamp cover of British India bears the Secunderabad HG 3 handstamp of the Madras Presidency, a mark graded “Common” in this census — one of 4 surviving covers with this mark recorded. It has appeared at auction with Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries, Sale 9020, lot 10123.