Scan or Photo Courtesy of Gowtham BJ
Date
1843
Description
Mahé 1843 (Aug 16): Entire letter from Mahé to Bordeaux endorsed "voie d'Egypte & Marseille", with framed "TELLICHERY / Paid" handstamp (Aug 17) in oxidised red with manuscript "4 annas, Steam Postage 9 annas = 13 annas", and struck with framed oval "INDIA" in red; carried on East India Co. "Cleopatra" and thence on the French "Lycurgue" to Malta (where disinfected with "Purifié au Lazaret au Malte" in black) and thence on the "Alecto" to Marseille with red "Indes Or. / Marseille" entry mark (Oct 19). Rated '19' décime due on arrival (Oct 22). A scarce and fine entire.
Auction
Auction 291-297, Lot 525
Same office
Other recorded marks at Tellicherry
5 marks5 other pre-1854 postal markings of Tellicherry are recorded in the census. Compare their figure numbers, dates and colours to identify the mark on your cover.
About this Tellicherry pre stamp cover
COV-611 is a Tellicherry pre stamp cover of 1843 bearing the Tellicherry HG 5 handstamp, struck in red, recorded in the census of Tellicherry postal history — the office known today as Thalassery, Madras Presidency. What is a pre stamp cover?
Mahé 1843 (Aug 16): Entire letter from Mahé to Bordeaux endorsed "voie d'Egypte & Marseille", with framed "TELLICHERY / Paid" handstamp (Aug 17) in oxidised red with manuscript "4 annas, Steam Postage 9 annas = 13 annas", and struck with framed oval "INDIA" in red; carried on East India Co. "Cleopatra" and thence on the French "Lycurgue" to Malta (where disinfected with "Purifié au Lazaret au Malte" in black) and thence on the "Alecto" to Marseille with red "Indes Or. / Marseille" entry mark (Oct 19). Rated '19' décime due on arrival (Oct 22). A scarce and fine entire.
Its recorded auction history runs through Corinphila Auctions Auction 291-297 lot 525.
1 image of COV-611 is recorded (front); the Tellicherry HG 5 mark itself is recorded in use 1839–1858.
Questions about COV-611
- What is COV-611?
- COV-611 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Tellicherry, Madras Presidency of 1843, bearing the Tellicherry HG 5 handstamp in red. Mahé 1843 (Aug 16): Entire letter from Mahé to Bordeaux endorsed "voie d'Egypte & Marseille", with framed "TELLICHERY / Paid" handstamp (Aug 17) in oxidised red with manuscript "4 annas, Steam Postage 9 annas = 13 annas", and struck with framed oval "INDIA" in red; carried on East India Co. "Cleopatra" and thence on the French "Lycurgue" to Malta (where disinfected with "Purifié au Lazaret au Malte" in black) and thence on the "Alecto" to Marseille with red "Indes Or. / Marseille" entry mark (Oct 19). Rated '19' décime due on arrival (Oct 22). A scarce and fine entire.
- How scarce is the Tellicherry HG 5 mark on this cover?
- The census grades Tellicherry HG 5 as common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1839–1858.
- What is the provenance of COV-611?
- Its recorded auction history runs through Corinphila Auctions Auction 291-297 lot 525.
- When was COV-611 posted?
- COV-611 is dated 1843, within the recorded period of use of Tellicherry HG 5 (1839–1858).
About this record
This 1843 pre stamp cover of British India bears the Tellicherry HG 5 handstamp of the Madras Presidency, a mark graded “Common” in this census — one of 3 surviving covers with this mark recorded. It has appeared at auction with Corinphila Auctions, Auction 291-297, lot 525.