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-700 posted?

COV-700 is dated 27 November 1816, within the recorded period of use of Vizagapatam HG 3 (1816).

COV-700

27 November 1816 Vizagapatam Cover

Back to census|Vizagapatam HG 3 · 5 covers recorded

← COV-331 COV-2715 →

Pre-stamp cover of India — 27 November 1816, Vizagapatam HG 3 handstruck folded letter (COV-700) — front

Pre-stamp cover of India — Vizagapatam HG 3, back (COV-700) — back

Scan or Photo Courtesy of Siegel Auction Galleries

Date

27 November 1816

Description

"POST FREE/VIZAGAPATAM" Handstamp (Giles 3). Faint but clear oval handstamp.

Auction

Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries

Sale No. 1325, Lot 3075, (2025)

Provenance

"Magnolia"

•2025, Robert A. Siegel Sale No. 1325, Lot 3075

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-700 is a Vizagapatam pre stamp cover of 27 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?

"POST FREE/VIZAGAPATAM" Handstamp (Giles 3). Faint but clear oval handstamp.

Its recorded auction history runs through Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries Sale No. 1325 lot 3075 (2025).

2 images of COV-700 are recorded (front, back); the Vizagapatam HG 3 mark itself is recorded in use 1816.

Questions about COV-700

What is COV-700?: COV-700 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Vizagapatam, Madras Presidency of 27 November 1816, bearing the Vizagapatam HG 3 handstamp in black. "POST FREE/VIZAGAPATAM" Handstamp (Giles 3). Faint but clear oval handstamp.
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-700?: Its recorded auction history runs through Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries Sale No. 1325 lot 3075 (2025).
When was COV-700 posted?: COV-700 is dated 27 November 1816, within the recorded period of use of Vizagapatam HG 3 (1816).

About this record

This 27 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 5 surviving covers with this mark recorded. It has appeared at auction with Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries, Sale No. 1325, lot 3075, (2025).