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

The census grades Tanjore HG 1 as rare, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1796–1819.

When was COV-695 posted?

COV-695 is dated 23 August 1796, within the recorded period of use of Tanjore HG 1 (1796–1819).

COV-695

23 August 1796 Tanjore Cover

Back to census|Tanjore HG 1 · 4 covers recorded

← COV-119 COV-2081 →

Pre-stamp cover of India — 23 August 1796, Tanjore HG 1 handstruck folded letter (COV-695) — front

Pre-stamp cover of India — Tanjore HG 1, back (COV-695) — back

Scan or Photo Courtesy of Siegel Auction Galleries

Date

23 August 1796

Description

India, Tanjore, 1796, "Tajore" Handstamp (Giles 1). Partial but clear straightline strike with manuscript "PP 11 Fa, 23rd Augt 96" rate and date markings on folded letter addressed to William Dick in Calcutta, partial Calcutta arrival backstamp, small opening tear at top, Fine and noted as rare by Giles, used during the Maratha period and prior to 1799 when the territory (not the city itself) was ceded to the East India Company

Auction

Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries

Sale No. 1325, Lot 3070, (2025)

Provenance

"Magnolia"

•2025, Robert A. Siegel Sale No. 1325, Lot 3070

Same office

Other recorded marks at Tanjore

8 marks

8 other pre-1854 postal markings of Tanjore are recorded in the census. Compare their figure numbers, dates and colours to identify the mark on your cover.

+2 more at this office.View all Tanjore marks and postal history →

About this Tanjore pre stamp cover

COV-695 is a Tanjore pre stamp cover of 23 August 1796 bearing the Tanjore HG 1 handstamp, struck in black, recorded in the census of Tanjore postal history — the office known today as Thanjavur, Madras Presidency. What is a pre stamp cover?

Its recorded auction history runs through Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries Sale No. 1325 lot 3070 (2025).

2 images of COV-695 are recorded (front, back); the Tanjore HG 1 mark itself is recorded in use 1796–1819.

Questions about COV-695

What is COV-695?: COV-695 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Tanjore, Madras Presidency of 23 August 1796, bearing the Tanjore HG 1 handstamp in black. India, Tanjore, 1796, "Tajore" Handstamp (Giles 1). Partial but clear straightline strike with manuscript "PP 11 Fa, 23rd Augt 96" rate and date markings on folded letter addressed to William Dick in Calcutta, partial Calcutta arrival backstamp, small opening tear at top, Fine and noted as rare by Giles, used during the Maratha period and prior to 1799 when the territory (not the city itself) was ceded to the East India Company
How scarce is the Tanjore HG 1 mark on this cover?: The census grades Tanjore HG 1 as rare, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1796–1819.
What is the provenance of COV-695?: Its recorded auction history runs through Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries Sale No. 1325 lot 3070 (2025).
When was COV-695 posted?: COV-695 is dated 23 August 1796, within the recorded period of use of Tanjore HG 1 (1796–1819).

About this record

This 23 August 1796 pre stamp cover of British India bears the Tanjore HG 1 handstamp of the Madras Presidency, a mark graded “Rare” in this census — one of 4 surviving covers with this mark recorded. It has appeared at auction with Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries, Sale No. 1325, lot 3070, (2025).