Scan or Photo Courtesy of Grosvenor Auctions
Date
1850
Description
India: 1850 (Nov. 20) entire to Cork, Ireland address panel headed “From Sergeant Major J.Wright at Secunderabad” and signed by the commanding officer below for the concession rate. Sent unpaid and charged at the unpaid “2”(d) rate upon arrival. Reverse with oval “SECUNDERABAD/FREE” (Giles type 3 variety) oval datestamp, framed “MADRAS/G.P.O” three line datestamp and London, Dublin and Cork c.d.s. The content entirely manuscript being a death certificate for a Patrick Ryan, presumably addressed to his father and signed by a magistrate, unusual. Photo.
Auction
GPA 174: British Empire & Foreign Countries, Lot 1076, (2026)
Same office
Other recorded marks at Secunderabad
6 marks6 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.
About this Secunderabad pre stamp cover
COV-4924 is a Secunderabad pre stamp cover of 1850 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?
India: 1850 (Nov. 20) entire to Cork, Ireland address panel headed “From Sergeant Major J.Wright at Secunderabad” and signed by the commanding officer below for the concession rate. Sent unpaid and charged at the unpaid “2”(d) rate upon arrival. Reverse with oval “SECUNDERABAD/FREE” (Giles type 3 variety) oval datestamp, framed “MADRAS/G.P.O” three line datestamp and London, Dublin and Cork c.d.s. The content entirely manuscript being a death certificate for a Patrick Ryan, presumably addressed to his father and signed by a magistrate, unusual. Photo.
Its recorded auction history runs through Grosvenor Philatelic Auctions GPA 174: British Empire & Foreign Countries lot 1076 (2026).
1 image of COV-4924 is recorded; the Secunderabad HG 3 mark itself is recorded in use 1838–1853.
Questions about COV-4924
- What is COV-4924?
- COV-4924 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Secunderabad, Madras Presidency of 1850, bearing the Secunderabad HG 3 handstamp in red. India: 1850 (Nov. 20) entire to Cork, Ireland address panel headed “From Sergeant Major J.Wright at Secunderabad” and signed by the commanding officer below for the concession rate. Sent unpaid and charged at the unpaid “2”(d) rate upon arrival. Reverse with oval “SECUNDERABAD/FREE” (Giles type 3 variety) oval datestamp, framed “MADRAS/G.P.O” three line datestamp and London, Dublin and Cork c.d.s. The content entirely manuscript being a death certificate for a Patrick Ryan, presumably addressed to his father and signed by a magistrate, unusual. Photo.
- 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-4924?
- Its recorded auction history runs through Grosvenor Philatelic Auctions GPA 174: British Empire & Foreign Countries lot 1076 (2026).
- When was COV-4924 posted?
- COV-4924 is dated 1850, within the recorded period of use of Secunderabad HG 3 (1838–1853).
About this record
This 1850 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 Grosvenor Philatelic Auctions, GPA 174: British Empire & Foreign Countries, lot 1076, (2026).