COV-3885 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Sirce, Madras Presidency of 24 February 1844, bearing the Sirce HG 1 handstamp in red. India 1844 prestamp cover from SIRCE (Giles #1 - Possibly the earliest recorded usage) via Egypt to Norwich

How scarce is the Sirce HG 1 mark on this cover?

The census grades Sirce HG 1 as very scarce, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1841–1844.

When was COV-3885 posted?

COV-3885 is dated 24 February 1844, within the recorded period of use of Sirce HG 1 (1841–1844).

COV-3885

24 February 1844 Sirce Cover

Back to census|Sirce HG 1

Pre-stamp cover of India — 24 February 1844, Sirce HG 1 handstruck folded letter (COV-3885)

Pre-stamp cover of India — Sirce HG 1, scan 2 (COV-3885)

Pre-stamp cover of India — Sirce HG 1, scan 3 (COV-3885)

Scan or Photo Courtesy of Sephils

Date

24 February 1844

Description

India 1844 prestamp cover from SIRCE (Giles #1 - Possibly the earliest recorded usage) via Egypt to Norwich

Auction

Sephils

239, Lot 0092, (2025)

Same office

Other recorded marks at Sirce

1 mark

One other pre-1854 postal marking of Sirce is recorded in the census. Compare it against this mark to place your cover.

Sirce HG 2handstampBlack1858–1860

View all Sirce marks and postal history →

About this Sirce pre stamp cover

COV-3885 is a Sirce pre stamp cover of 24 February 1844 bearing the Sirce HG 1 handstamp, struck in red, recorded in the census of Sirce postal history — the office known today as Sirsi, Madras Presidency. What is a pre stamp cover?

India 1844 prestamp cover from SIRCE (Giles #1 - Possibly the earliest recorded usage) via Egypt to Norwich

Its recorded auction history runs through Sephils 239 lot 0092 (2025).

3 images of COV-3885 are recorded; the Sirce HG 1 mark itself is recorded in use 1841–1844.

Questions about COV-3885

What is COV-3885?: COV-3885 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Sirce, Madras Presidency of 24 February 1844, bearing the Sirce HG 1 handstamp in red. India 1844 prestamp cover from SIRCE (Giles #1 - Possibly the earliest recorded usage) via Egypt to Norwich
How scarce is the Sirce HG 1 mark on this cover?: The census grades Sirce HG 1 as very scarce, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1841–1844.
What is the provenance of COV-3885?: Its recorded auction history runs through Sephils 239 lot 0092 (2025).
When was COV-3885 posted?: COV-3885 is dated 24 February 1844, within the recorded period of use of Sirce HG 1 (1841–1844).

About this record

This 24 February 1844 pre stamp cover of British India bears the Sirce HG 1 handstamp of the Madras Presidency, a mark graded “Very scarce” in this census — the only surviving cover with this mark recorded so far. It has appeared at auction with Sephils, 239, lot 0092, (2025).