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-5658 posted?

COV-5658 is dated 12 November 1816, within the recorded period of use of Vizagapatam HG 3 (1816).

COV-5658

12 November 1816 Vizagapatam Cover

Back to census|Vizagapatam HG 3 · 6 covers recorded

← COV-2721

Pre-stamp cover of India — 12 November 1816, Vizagapatam HG 3 handstruck folded letter (COV-5658)

Pre-stamp cover of India — Vizagapatam HG 3, scan 2 (COV-5658)

Scan or Photo Courtesy of Siegel Auction Galleries

Date

12 November 1816

Description

India, Vizagapatam, 1816, "POST FREE/VIZAGAPATAM" Oval Handstamp (Giles 3). Mostly clear and legible strike with manuscript "12th Novr 1816" date added on back of folded cover to "Revd E. Vaughan, Senior Chaplain" in Fort St. George (Madras), endorsed "On the Service" , cover with heavy toning and missing side flap, still Fine strike, 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

Worldwide Stamps and Postal History (Sale 1392, 10 November 2026), Lot 370, (2026)

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-5658 is a Vizagapatam pre stamp cover of 12 November 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 Worldwide Stamps and Postal History (Sale 1392, 10 November 2026) lot 370 (2026).

2 images of COV-5658 are recorded; the Vizagapatam HG 3 mark itself is recorded in use 1816.

Questions about COV-5658

What is COV-5658?: COV-5658 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Vizagapatam, Madras Presidency of 12 November 1816, bearing the Vizagapatam HG 3 handstamp in black. India, Vizagapatam, 1816, "POST FREE/VIZAGAPATAM" Oval Handstamp (Giles 3). Mostly clear and legible strike with manuscript "12th Novr 1816" date added on back of folded cover to "Revd E. Vaughan, Senior Chaplain" in Fort St. George (Madras), endorsed "On the Service" , cover with heavy toning and missing side flap, still Fine strike, 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-5658?: Its recorded auction history runs through Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries Worldwide Stamps and Postal History (Sale 1392, 10 November 2026) lot 370 (2026).
When was COV-5658 posted?: COV-5658 is dated 12 November 1816, within the recorded period of use of Vizagapatam HG 3 (1816).

About this record

This 12 November 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 6 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 370, (2026).