Scan or Photo Courtesy of Siegel Auction Galleries
Date
20 May 1822
Description
Siegel - Vizianagarum, 1822, "VIZIANACM/POSTPAID" in Octagon (Giles 1). Folded letter datelined Vizianagarum May 20, 1822 with perfect strike of two-line handstamp on flap, addressed to "A. Lindesay, Assistant Surgeon, en route to Cawnpore", sender's directive "via Ganjam" and "post paid to Ganjam", Calcutta "Pm" and May 29, 1822 transit markings (Giles 11a), minor edgewear and some reinforcement along folds, Very Fine and probably the finest strike of this rare marking extant, ex Manning Cavendish - VIZIANAGARUM - SUPERB RARE OCTAGON-BOXED “VIZIANAGM./POST PAID” ON COVER TO CALCUTTA; Remarkable 20 May 1822 EL (cross-written contents; minor wear with some reinforced folds) to a man “en route to Cawnpore” endorsed “Via Ganjam” and “post paid to Ganjam” with an undoubtedly superb strike of the large spectaular octagon-boxed “VIZIANAGM./POST PAID” (HG1; “Very Scarce”) nicely placed on the lower flap beside red Calcutta “P.m” mark and oval “G.P.O/BgPg.” (HG11a). One of the scarcest of all Indian prestamp marks and one of the most attractive covers in the Manning Collection. Exhibition Quality. PHOTO - see page 42.
Auction
Provenance
"Magnolia" Michael Manning
Same office
Other recorded marks at Vizianagarum
5 marks5 other pre-1854 postal markings of Vizianagarum are recorded in the census. Compare their figure numbers, dates and colours to identify the mark on your cover.
About this Vizianagarum pre stamp cover
COV-71 is a Vizianagarum pre stamp cover of 20 May 1822 bearing the Vizianagarum HG 1 handstamp, struck in black, recorded in the census of Vizianagarum postal history — the office known today as Vizianagaram, Madras Presidency. What is a pre stamp cover?
Siegel - Vizianagarum, 1822, "VIZIANACM/POSTPAID" in Octagon (Giles 1). Folded letter datelined Vizianagarum May 20, 1822 with perfect strike of two-line handstamp on flap, addressed to "A. Lindesay, Assistant Surgeon, en route to Cawnpore", sender's directive "via Ganjam" and "post paid to Ganjam", Calcutta "Pm" and May 29, 1822 transit markings (Giles 11a), minor edgewear and some reinforcement along folds, Very Fine and probably the finest strike of this rare marking extant, ex Manning Cavendish - VIZIANAGARUM - SUPERB RARE OCTAGON-BOXED “VIZIANAGM./POST PAID” ON COVER TO CALCUTTA; Remarkable 20 May 1822 EL (cross-written contents; minor wear with some reinforced folds) to a man “en route to Cawnpore” endorsed “Via Ganjam” and “post paid to Ganjam” with an undoubtedly superb strike of the large spectaular octagon-boxed “VIZIANAGM./POST PAID” (HG1; “Very Scarce”) nicely placed on the lower flap beside red Calcutta “P.m” mark and oval “G.P.O/BgPg.” (HG11a). One of the scarcest of all Indian prestamp marks and one of the most attractive covers in the Manning Collection. Exhibition Quality. PHOTO - see page 42.
Its recorded auction history runs through Cavendish Philatelic Auctions Ltd Manning lot 133 (Sept. 2015); and Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries Sale 1286 lot 44 (May 2023).
1 image of COV-71 is recorded (front); the Vizianagarum HG 1 mark itself is recorded in use 1822.
Questions about COV-71
- What is COV-71?
- COV-71 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Vizianagarum, Madras Presidency of 20 May 1822, bearing the Vizianagarum HG 1 handstamp in black. Siegel - Vizianagarum, 1822, "VIZIANACM/POSTPAID" in Octagon (Giles 1). Folded letter datelined Vizianagarum May 20, 1822 with perfect strike of two-line handstamp on flap, addressed to "A. Lindesay, Assistant Surgeon, en route to Cawnpore", sender's directive "via Ganjam" and "post paid to Ganjam", Calcutta "Pm" and May 29, 1822 transit markings (Giles 11a), minor edgewear and some reinforcement along folds, Very Fine and probably the finest strike of this rare marking extant, ex Manning Cavendish - VIZIANAGARUM - SUPERB RARE OCTAGON-BOXED “VIZIANAGM./POST PAID” ON COVER TO CALCUTTA; Remarkable 20 May 1822 EL (cross-written contents; minor wear with some reinforced folds) to a man “en route to Cawnpore” endorsed “Via Ganjam” and “post paid to Ganjam” with an undoubtedly superb strike of the large spectaular octagon-boxed “VIZIANAGM./POST PAID” (HG1; “Very Scarce”) nicely placed on the lower flap beside red Calcutta “P.m” mark and oval “G.P.O/BgPg.” (HG11a). One of the scarcest of all Indian prestamp marks and one of the most attractive covers in the Manning Collection. Exhibition Quality. PHOTO - see page 42.
- How scarce is the Vizianagarum HG 1 mark on this cover?
- The census grades Vizianagarum HG 1 as rare, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1822.
- What is the provenance of COV-71?
- Its recorded auction history runs through Cavendish Philatelic Auctions Ltd Manning lot 133 (Sept. 2015); and Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries Sale 1286 lot 44 (May 2023).
- When was COV-71 posted?
- COV-71 is dated 20 May 1822, within the recorded period of use of Vizianagarum HG 1 (1822).
About this record
This 20 May 1822 pre stamp cover of British India bears the Vizianagarum HG 1 handstamp of the Madras Presidency, a mark graded “Rare” in this census — one of 7 surviving covers with this mark recorded. It has appeared at auction with Cavendish Philatelic Auctions Ltd, Manning, lot 133, (Sept. 2015); Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries, Sale 1286, lot 44, (May 2023).