COV-67
26 November 1799 Seringapatam Cover
Scan or Photo Courtesy of Siegel Auction Galleries
Date
26 November 1799
Description
Seringapatam, 1799, "Seringapatam Post Paid" Negative Oval (Giles 1). Clear strike on flap of folded cover with "26 Nov" (1799) docketing, addressed to "Lt. Colonel Campbell, 74th Regt., Bangalore" and countersigned "Arthur Wellesley" (later 1st Duke of Wellington) at bottom, cover with toning and water staining at side FINE. AN EXCEPTIONALLY RARE SERINGAPATAM NEGATIVE HANDSTAMP, OF WHICH ONLY TWO ARE RECORDED. SIGNED BY ARTHUR WELLESLEY JUST MONTHS AFTER THE BRITISH CAPTURE OF THE TOWN, ENDING THE FOURTH ANGLO-MYSORE WAR DURING THE SIEGE OF SERINGAPATAM. This cover has both postal and historical importance. This marking, used only in 1799, is one of only two recorded by Giles. The sender, Arthur Wellesley (1769-1852), later the 1st Duke of Wellington, was one of the leading military and political figures of 19th century Great Britain. His military campaigns were extensive, and he played a key role in the Fourth Anglo-Mysore War against the Sultan of Mysore, Tipu Sultan. During the Siege of Seringapatam in May 1799, Tipu Sultan was killed and the fort was captured. At the age of 30, Wellesley became the Governor of Seringapatam and Mysore. Wellesley ultimately returned to England and eventually became the Prime Minister twice, from 1828 to 1830 and again in 1834. He was also the Commander in Chief of the British Army 1827-28 and 1842-52 and the Leader of the House of Lords 1834-35 and 1841-46.
Auction
Sale 1286, Lot 40
Provenance
“Magnolia” Dilip Shah
Same office
Other recorded marks at Seringapatam
12 marks12 other pre-1854 postal markings of Seringapatam are recorded in the census. Compare their figure numbers, dates and colours to identify the mark on your cover.
- Seringapatam HG 2handstampBlack1801
- Seringapatam HG 3handstampBlack1801–1815
- Seringapatam HG 4handstampBlack1800–1823
- Seringapatam HG 5handstampRed1837
- Seringapatam HG 6handstampBlack1828–1837
- Seringapatam HG 7handstampRed1842
+6 more at this office.View all Seringapatam marks and postal history →
About this Seringapatam pre stamp cover
COV-67 is a Seringapatam pre stamp cover of 26 November 1799 bearing the Seringapatam HG 1 handstamp, struck in black, recorded in the census of Seringapatam postal history — the office known today as Srirangapatna, Madras Presidency. What is a pre stamp cover?
Seringapatam, 1799, "Seringapatam Post Paid" Negative Oval (Giles 1). Clear strike on flap of folded cover with "26 Nov" (1799) docketing, addressed to "Lt. Colonel Campbell, 74th Regt., Bangalore" and countersigned "Arthur Wellesley" (later 1st Duke of Wellington) at bottom, cover with toning and water staining at side FINE. AN EXCEPTIONALLY RARE SERINGAPATAM NEGATIVE HANDSTAMP, OF WHICH ONLY TWO ARE RECORDED. SIGNED BY ARTHUR WELLESLEY JUST MONTHS AFTER THE BRITISH CAPTURE OF THE TOWN, ENDING THE FOURTH ANGLO-MYSORE WAR DURING THE SIEGE OF SERINGAPATAM. This cover has both postal and historical importance. This marking, used only in 1799, is one of only two recorded by Giles. The sender, Arthur Wellesley (1769-1852), later the 1st Duke of Wellington, was one of the leading military and political figures of 19th century Great Britain. His military campaigns were extensive, and he played a key role in the Fourth Anglo-Mysore War against the Sultan of Mysore, Tipu Sultan. During the Siege of Seringapatam in May 1799, Tipu Sultan was killed and the fort was captured. At the age of 30, Wellesley became the Governor of Seringapatam and Mysore. Wellesley ultimately returned to England and eventually became the Prime Minister twice, from 1828 to 1830 and again in 1834. He was also the Commander in Chief of the British Army 1827-28 and 1842-52 and the Leader of the House of Lords 1834-35 and 1841-46.
Its recorded auction history runs through Spink Dilip Shah lot 5 (Oct. 2001); and Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries Sale 1286 lot 40.
1 image of COV-67 is recorded (front); the Seringapatam HG 1 mark itself is recorded in use 1799.
Questions about COV-67
- What is COV-67?
- COV-67 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Seringapatam, Madras Presidency of 26 November 1799, bearing the Seringapatam HG 1 handstamp in black. Seringapatam, 1799, "Seringapatam Post Paid" Negative Oval (Giles 1). Clear strike on flap of folded cover with "26 Nov" (1799) docketing, addressed to "Lt. Colonel Campbell, 74th Regt., Bangalore" and countersigned "Arthur Wellesley" (later 1st Duke of Wellington) at bottom, cover with toning and water staining at side FINE. AN EXCEPTIONALLY RARE SERINGAPATAM NEGATIVE HANDSTAMP, OF WHICH ONLY TWO ARE RECORDED. SIGNED BY ARTHUR WELLESLEY JUST MONTHS AFTER THE BRITISH CAPTURE OF THE TOWN, ENDING THE FOURTH ANGLO-MYSORE WAR DURING THE SIEGE OF SERINGAPATAM. This cover has both postal and historical importance. This marking, used only in 1799, is one of only two recorded by Giles. The sender, Arthur Wellesley (1769-1852), later the 1st Duke of Wellington, was one of the leading military and political figures of 19th century Great Britain. His military campaigns were extensive, and he played a key role in the Fourth Anglo-Mysore War against the Sultan of Mysore, Tipu Sultan. During the Siege of Seringapatam in May 1799, Tipu Sultan was killed and the fort was captured. At the age of 30, Wellesley became the Governor of Seringapatam and Mysore. Wellesley ultimately returned to England and eventually became the Prime Minister twice, from 1828 to 1830 and again in 1834. He was also the Commander in Chief of the British Army 1827-28 and 1842-52 and the Leader of the House of Lords 1834-35 and 1841-46.
- How scarce is the Seringapatam HG 1 mark on this cover?
- The census grades Seringapatam HG 1 as 2 examples recorded, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1799.
- What is the provenance of COV-67?
- Its recorded auction history runs through Spink Dilip Shah lot 5 (Oct. 2001); and Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries Sale 1286 lot 40.
- When was COV-67 posted?
- COV-67 is dated 26 November 1799, within the recorded period of use of Seringapatam HG 1 (1799).
About this record
This 26 November 1799 pre stamp cover of British India bears the Seringapatam HG 1 handstamp of the Madras Presidency, a mark with 2 examples recorded in this census — one of 2 surviving covers with this mark recorded. It has appeared at auction with Spink, Dilip Shah, lot 5, (Oct. 2001); Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries, Sale 1286, lot 40.