How scarce is the Vizagapatam HG 3 mark on this cover?

The census grades Vizagapatam HG 3 as rare, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1816.

When was COV-331 posted?

COV-331 is dated 6 December 1816, within the recorded period of use of Vizagapatam HG 3 (1816).

COV-331

6 December 1816 Vizagapatam Cover

Back to census|Vizagapatam HG 3 · 5 covers recorded

COV-700 →

Pre-stamp cover of India — 6 December 1816, Vizagapatam HG 3 handstruck folded letter (COV-331) — front

Pre-stamp cover of India — Vizagapatam HG 3, back (COV-331) — back

Scan or Photo Courtesy of Siegel Auction Galleries

Date

6 December 1816

Description

India, Vizagapatam, 1816, "POST FREE/VIZAGAPATAM" Oval Handstamp (Giles 3). Mostly complete and legible strike with manuscript "6th Dece 1816" date marking on back of folded cover to Reverend E. Vaughan in Fort St. George, endorsed "On the Service" , manuscript "Baptism, 5th Decr 1816, Paske" docketing, cover with tropicalization, file fold thru marking, and hinge reinforcement to insect holes along center, still Fine, the recipient Rev. Edward Vaughan (1776-1849) was a chaplain for the East India Company and Archdeacon from 1819-1828, Giles notes this marking as very scarce

Auction

Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries

Sale 9020, Lot 10141, — The Magnolia Collection Part 5

Provenance

"Magnolia"

Same office

Other recorded marks at Vizagapatam

7 marks

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

+1 more at this office.View all Vizagapatam marks and postal history →

About this Vizagapatam pre stamp cover

COV-331 is a Vizagapatam pre stamp cover of 6 December 1816 bearing the Vizagapatam HG 3 handstamp, struck in black, recorded in the census of Vizagapatam postal history — the office known today as Visakhapatnam, Madras Presidency. What is a pre stamp cover?

Its recorded auction history runs through Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries Sale 9020 lot 10141.

2 images of COV-331 are recorded (front, back); the Vizagapatam HG 3 mark itself is recorded in use 1816.

Questions about COV-331

What is COV-331?: COV-331 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Vizagapatam, Madras Presidency of 6 December 1816, bearing the Vizagapatam HG 3 handstamp in black. India, Vizagapatam, 1816, "POST FREE/VIZAGAPATAM" Oval Handstamp (Giles 3). Mostly complete and legible strike with manuscript "6th Dece 1816" date marking on back of folded cover to Reverend E. Vaughan in Fort St. George, endorsed "On the Service" , manuscript "Baptism, 5th Decr 1816, Paske" docketing, cover with tropicalization, file fold thru marking, and hinge reinforcement to insect holes along center, still Fine, the recipient Rev. Edward Vaughan (1776-1849) was a chaplain for the East India Company and Archdeacon from 1819-1828, Giles notes this marking as very scarce
How scarce is the Vizagapatam HG 3 mark on this cover?: The census grades Vizagapatam HG 3 as rare, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1816.
What is the provenance of COV-331?: Its recorded auction history runs through Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries Sale 9020 lot 10141.
When was COV-331 posted?: COV-331 is dated 6 December 1816, within the recorded period of use of Vizagapatam HG 3 (1816).

About this record

This 6 December 1816 pre stamp cover of British India bears the Vizagapatam HG 3 handstamp of the Madras Presidency, a mark graded “Rare” in this census — one of 5 surviving covers with this mark recorded. It has appeared at auction with Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries, Sale 9020, lot 10141.