COV-68
10 August 1801 Seringapatam Cover
Scan or Photo Courtesy of Siegel Auction Galleries
Date
10 August 1801
Description
Seringapatam, 1801, "POST FREE SERINGAPATAM" Oval Handstamp (Giles 4). Clear strike on back of folded cover datelined Aug. 10, 1801 and addressed to J.H. Piele in Osuttah, signed "Arthur Wellesley" (later 1st Duke of Wellington) on front and letter additionally signed by him VERY FINE. A RARE "POST FREE SERINGAPATAM" HANDSTAMP ON COVER FROM ARTHUR WELLESLEY. 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. This cover was written between the end of the Fourth Anglo-Mysore War and beginning of the Second Anglo-Maratha War in 1803.
Auction
Sale 1286, Lot 41
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 1handstampBlack1799
- Seringapatam HG 2handstampBlack1801
- Seringapatam HG 3handstampBlack1801–1815
- 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-68 is a Seringapatam pre stamp cover of 10 August 1801 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?
Seringapatam, 1801, "POST FREE SERINGAPATAM" Oval Handstamp (Giles 4). Clear strike on back of folded cover datelined Aug. 10, 1801 and addressed to J.H. Piele in Osuttah, signed "Arthur Wellesley" (later 1st Duke of Wellington) on front and letter additionally signed by him VERY FINE. A RARE "POST FREE SERINGAPATAM" HANDSTAMP ON COVER FROM ARTHUR WELLESLEY. 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. This cover was written between the end of the Fourth Anglo-Mysore War and beginning of the Second Anglo-Maratha War in 1803.
Its recorded auction history runs through Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries Sale 1286 lot 41.
2 images of COV-68 are recorded (front, back); the Seringapatam HG 4 mark itself is recorded in use 1800–1823.
Questions about COV-68
- What is COV-68?
- COV-68 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Seringapatam, Madras Presidency of 10 August 1801, bearing the Seringapatam HG 4 handstamp in black. Seringapatam, 1801, "POST FREE SERINGAPATAM" Oval Handstamp (Giles 4). Clear strike on back of folded cover datelined Aug. 10, 1801 and addressed to J.H. Piele in Osuttah, signed "Arthur Wellesley" (later 1st Duke of Wellington) on front and letter additionally signed by him VERY FINE. A RARE "POST FREE SERINGAPATAM" HANDSTAMP ON COVER FROM ARTHUR WELLESLEY. 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. This cover was written between the end of the Fourth Anglo-Mysore War and beginning of the Second Anglo-Maratha War in 1803.
- 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-68?
- Its recorded auction history runs through Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries Sale 1286 lot 41.
- When was COV-68 posted?
- COV-68 is dated 10 August 1801, within the recorded period of use of Seringapatam HG 4 (1800–1823).
About this record
This 10 August 1801 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, Sale 1286, lot 41.