How scarce is the Seringapatam HG 4 mark on this cover?

The census grades Seringapatam HG 4 as rare, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1800–1823.

When was COV-617 posted?

COV-617 is dated 1817, within the recorded period of use of Seringapatam HG 4 (1800–1823).

COV-617

1817 Seringapatam Cover

Back to census|Seringapatam HG 4 · 9 covers recorded

← COV-501 COV-873 →

Pre-stamp cover of India — 1817, Seringapatam HG 4 handstruck folded letter (COV-617) — front

Scan or Photo Courtesy of Siegel Auction Galleries

Date

1817

Description

INDIA, 1817 "Post Free Seringapatam". Red oval handstamp (Giles Ty. 4) marking on folded letter (written in English) datelined in 1817 to Mysore, some splitting along folds, Fine strike of this rare stampless postal marking

Auction

Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries

1170 11/15-16/2017 Worldwide Stamps and Postal History, Lot 4282

Same office

Other recorded marks at Seringapatam

12 marks

12 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.

+6 more at this office.View all Seringapatam marks and postal history →

About this Seringapatam pre stamp cover

COV-617 is a Seringapatam pre stamp cover of 1817 bearing the Seringapatam HG 4 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?

Its recorded auction history runs through Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries 1170 11/15-16/2017 Worldwide Stamps and Postal History lot 4282.

1 image of COV-617 is recorded (front); the Seringapatam HG 4 mark itself is recorded in use 1800–1823.

Questions about COV-617

What is COV-617?: COV-617 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Seringapatam, Madras Presidency of 1817, bearing the Seringapatam HG 4 handstamp in black. INDIA, 1817 "Post Free Seringapatam". Red oval handstamp (Giles Ty. 4) marking on folded letter (written in English) datelined in 1817 to Mysore, some splitting along folds, Fine strike of this rare stampless postal marking
How scarce is the Seringapatam HG 4 mark on this cover?: The census grades Seringapatam HG 4 as rare, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1800–1823.
What is the provenance of COV-617?: Its recorded auction history runs through Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries 1170 11/15-16/2017 Worldwide Stamps and Postal History lot 4282.
When was COV-617 posted?: COV-617 is dated 1817, within the recorded period of use of Seringapatam HG 4 (1800–1823).

About this record

This 1817 pre stamp cover of British India bears the Seringapatam HG 4 handstamp of the Madras Presidency, a mark graded “Rare” in this census — one of 9 surviving covers with this mark recorded. It has appeared at auction with Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries, 1170 11/15-16/2017 Worldwide Stamps and Postal History, lot 4282.