Secunderabad HG 6

1841

1841 (Sept 10) Envelope with the contents sent from Humerapore to Secunderabad, showing on reverse boxed “HUMERAPORE Paid” pm together with dated “SECUNDERABAD Paid” mark, both in red. The only recorded example of the Humerapore boxed postmark.

8 November 1848

MILITARY PRESTAMP MAIL INC. TWO REF. MOOLTAN REBELLION + UNRECORDED OVAL "NUSEERABAD/FREE"; 1843 or 1848 env. (roughly opened at left well clear of oval) endorsed "On Service" and signed by "Asst. Adjt. General of the Army" with mainly v. fine red oval-framed "NUSEERABAD/FREE" ds (not recorded by Hammond Giles) on the reverse; plus Oct./Nov. 1848 pair of interesting cross-written ELs ex "Deesa" or "SECUNDERABAD" (red boxed "Paid" ds) to Surrey or Ireland having unnamed manuscript date/rate mark or the Paid mark. Both from British officers with contents mentioning the chaos of the Mooltan Rebellion ("disturbances in Mooltan", etc.) as well as troops dying of cholera, robberies due to famine, an incompetent Anglo-Indian general, etc. The latter pair would both repay careful transcriptions. (3 covers) [Ex John Lea.] Cross Reference: MILITARY

26 January 1849

Postal cover from secunderabad (madras), bearing HG 6 handstamp in Red. Dated 26 January 1849. Scarce example of postal history from this office.

6 March 1850

1850 stampless native cover with red boxed ``SECUNDERABAD / 1850 MARCH 6 / Paid ?as`` handstuck to Madras; Gile Ty-2

17 December 1850

Postal cover from secunderabad (madras), bearing HG 6 handstamp in Red. Dated 17 December 1850. Scarce example of postal history from this office.

11 February 1852

1852 stampless native cover with red boxed ``SECUNDERABAD / 1852 FEBRUARY 11 / Paid 8as`` & ``G.P.O./1852 FE`` to Madras; Gile Ty-2

1854

India (Hyderabad): 1854 small pre-stamp envelope used from Secunderabad to Madras. Fine 'SECONDRABAD / 1854 February ? / Paid' mark, Giles type 2, with boxed red 'G.P.O.' and black 'AM' marks. For the address side see scan 2. Good condition.

1854

India, 1854, 4a Bright Red & Bright Blue, 3rd Printing, Head Die II, Frame Die I (6Ea; SG 21a). Horizontal pair showing wide setting and separating line, Positions 11-12, huge to large margins on all sides, used with 1854, 1a Red, Die II (4B; SG 14), horizontal pair, huge to full margins, tied by diamond of dots cancels on 1856 cover to Bury St. Edmonds, England, sender's directive "Via Bombay & Southampton" , red Secunderabad Feb. 18 boxed despatch datestamp (Giles 2) on back, red "INDIA PAID" crescent and manuscript marking also tie 4a, Bombay and London transit (the latter ties the 1a pair) and Bury St. Edmonds arrival datestamps, cover with minor edgewear and slight repair to backflap, left stamp of 1a pair with minor facial scrape, inconsequential toned spots (none of which are mentioned on accompanying certificate) EXTREMELY FINE AND SUPERB PAIR OF THE 4-ANNAS FROM THE RARE THIRD PRINTING -- HEAD DIE II, FRAME DIE I, SG 21a -- USED ON COVER. THIS IS CERTAINLY ONE OF THE FINEST PAIRS OF THE THIRD PRINTING KNOWN ON OR OFF COVER. The Third Printing of the 4a Lithograph has long vexed students of Indian philately. Even the most experienced specialists have trouble identifying the key characteristics of this printing. Multiples, such as the pair on cover offered here, are easier to identify. The Third Printing was by far the smallest print run. As multiples were used less frequently and singles were generally cut to shape, most Third Printing stamps cannot be positively identified and, therefore, must be assigned to the 4th Printing. Reflecting its rarity, the Stanley Gibbons Catalogue prices a pair at £20,000 off cover. Applying the SG 5x multiplier for covers, the catalogue value is £100,000. Of interest is the 10a franking on this cover. We presume the sender and possibly the Secunderabad post office were unaware of the change in rates beginning two weeks prior to the Feb. 1, 1856, mailing date. As franked, it overpaid a double rate by 2a. Per the earlier postal rates, it would have paid the 2a inland rate and up to ½ oz. rate via Southampton. Ex Gray, Piccus, Heddergott, Dr. Kornan, and "Magnolia".

26 November 1854

1854 (Nov 26) / 1855 (Apr 28) Two letters bearing (on back and front respectively) single and two ½a stamps (S.G. 4, die I) tied by mute dotted lozenge of Secunderabad. One letter to Jaulnah (address in English and Marathi) with relatively early use of the ½a stamp (issued mid Sept 1854), and boxed and dated “SECUNDERABAD/Paid” and “JAULNAH/Paid” on reverse. Another letter to Madras with two wide-margined stamps next to “SECUNDERABAD/Paid” boxed pm, a bold strike of delivery mark “AM” to indicate morning delivery, and small rectangular Madras GPO arrival datestamp. An appealing and scarce pair of early Secunderabad mail with addresses in English and Farsi/Marathi.

1855

INDIA 1855 QV HALF ANNA FOLDED COVER MADRAS TO SECUNDERABAD

1855

India 1855 1/2a Die III Lithograph, E Stone Stamp, Sent to Secunderabad, Featuring Madras July 4th Paid Handstamp and Arrival Cachet, Worn Out Variety - Rare

1 November 1855

India 1855 cover bearing 1854 ½a deep blue die I (SG 4) – variety “H” instead of second “N” in ANNA reading “ANHA” tied by diamond of dots with boxed “SECUNDERABAD / Paid” on reverse

2 November 1855

India 1855 (Nov 2) folded letter from Bombay to Secunderabad, bearing 1854 1a red, imperf, die II, tied by "1" type 4 Bombay cancel with dispatch and delivery marks, both on reverse