Scan or Photo Courtesy of Siegel Auction Galleries
Date
1801
Description
India, Vellore, 1801, "PostPaid/Vellore/P.O." Handstamp (Giles 1). Clear though slightly oily strike with manuscript "24th Feby 1810" date added on back of folded letter to Captain de Havilland in Bangalore, letter written and signed by "Herbert Compton" with fascinating historical contents on de Havilland's court martial stating "...have had your note put into my hands by Capt Lindsay, informing me that the Court Martial are postponed. You will perceive by my movements that I have not lost a moment in hastening to convince you and your friends that you might use my best services..." , manuscript "3f" rate marking, cover with vertical file fold thru strike and overall toning VERY FINE STRIKE OF THIS EXCEPTIONALLY RARE VELLORE POSTAL MARKING. FEW EXAMPLES ARE KNOWN, ESPECIALLY DESIRABLE WITH SUCH HISTORICAL CONTENT. The "Great White Mutiny" is an often overlooked revolt by soldiers in the East India Company who felt under-represented by the Governor of Madras, George Barlow. De Havilland was court martialed as part of the mutiny but argued his involvement was due to unknowingly passing messages between his superiors. The sender Herbert Compton went on to serve in Madras, Calcutta, and even became the Chief Justice in Bombay.
Auction
Worldwide Stamps and Postal History (Sale 1392, 10 November 2026), Lot 369, (2026)
Same office
Other recorded marks at Vellore
6 marks6 other pre-1854 postal markings of Vellore are recorded in the census. Compare their figure numbers, dates and colours to identify the mark on your cover.
About this Vellore pre stamp cover
COV-5657 is a Vellore pre stamp cover of 1801 bearing the Vellore HG 1 handstamp, struck in black, recorded in the census of Vellore postal history, Madras Presidency. What is a pre stamp cover?
India, Vellore, 1801, "PostPaid/Vellore/P.O." Handstamp (Giles 1). Clear though slightly oily strike with manuscript "24th Feby 1810" date added on back of folded letter to Captain de Havilland in Bangalore, letter written and signed by "Herbert Compton" with fascinating historical contents on de Havilland's court martial stating "...have had your note put into my hands by Capt Lindsay, informing me that the Court Martial are postponed. You will perceive by my movements that I have not lost a moment in hastening to convince you and your friends that you might use my best services..." , manuscript "3f" rate marking, cover with vertical file fold thru strike and overall toning VERY FINE STRIKE OF THIS EXCEPTIONALLY RARE VELLORE POSTAL MARKING. FEW EXAMPLES ARE KNOWN, ESPECIALLY DESIRABLE WITH SUCH HISTORICAL CONTENT. The "Great White Mutiny" is an often overlooked revolt by soldiers in the East India Company who felt under-represented by the Governor of Madras, George Barlow. De Havilland was court martialed as part of the mutiny but argued his involvement was due to unknowingly passing messages between his superiors. The sender Herbert Compton went on to serve in Madras, Calcutta, and even became the Chief Justice in Bombay.
Its recorded auction history runs through Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries Worldwide Stamps and Postal History (Sale 1392, 10 November 2026) lot 369 (2026).
2 images of COV-5657 are recorded; the Vellore HG 1 mark itself is recorded in use 1801-10.
Questions about COV-5657
- What is COV-5657?
- COV-5657 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Vellore, Madras Presidency of 1801, bearing the Vellore HG 1 handstamp in black. India, Vellore, 1801, "PostPaid/Vellore/P.O." Handstamp (Giles 1). Clear though slightly oily strike with manuscript "24th Feby 1810" date added on back of folded letter to Captain de Havilland in Bangalore, letter written and signed by "Herbert Compton" with fascinating historical contents on de Havilland's court martial stating "...have had your note put into my hands by Capt Lindsay, informing me that the Court Martial are postponed. You will perceive by my movements that I have not lost a moment in hastening to convince you and your friends that you might use my best services..." , manuscript "3f" rate marking, cover with vertical file fold thru strike and overall toning VERY FINE STRIKE OF THIS EXCEPTIONALLY RARE VELLORE POSTAL MARKING. FEW EXAMPLES ARE KNOWN, ESPECIALLY DESIRABLE WITH SUCH HISTORICAL CONTENT. The "Great White Mutiny" is an often overlooked revolt by soldiers in the East India Company who felt under-represented by the Governor of Madras, George Barlow. De Havilland was court martialed as part of the mutiny but argued his involvement was due to unknowingly passing messages between his superiors. The sender Herbert Compton went on to serve in Madras, Calcutta, and even became the Chief Justice in Bombay.
- How scarce is the Vellore HG 1 mark on this cover?
- The census grades Vellore HG 1 as common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1801-10.
- What is the provenance of COV-5657?
- Its recorded auction history runs through Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries Worldwide Stamps and Postal History (Sale 1392, 10 November 2026) lot 369 (2026).
- When was COV-5657 posted?
- COV-5657 is dated 1801, within the recorded period of use of Vellore HG 1 (1801-10).
About this record
This 1801 pre stamp cover of British India bears the Vellore HG 1 handstamp of the Madras Presidency, a mark graded “Common” in this census — one of 4 surviving covers with this mark recorded. It has appeared at auction with Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries, Worldwide Stamps and Postal History (Sale 1392, 10 November 2026), lot 369, (2026).