COV-5314
21 December 1826 Wallajahabad Cover
Scan or Photo Courtesy of Siegel Auction Galleries
Date
21 December 1826
Description
India, Wallajahabad, 1826, "WALLAJAHBAUD/POST PAID" Oval Handstamp (Giles 4). Clear and mostly complete strike in red with manuscript "21 Decmbr 1826" date and rate marking on back of part of folded letter sheet (missing bottom and side flaps) to London, England, sender's directive "For England" , partially struck framed "INDIA LETTER/SOUTHAMPTON" handstamp, Madras Outstation (Dec. 22) transit and London arrival backstamps, cover with edgewear and small tears, also with some overall toning, Fine strike of this scarce postal marking
Auction
The Magnolia Collection: India Postal History, Part 8 (Sale 9061, 21 October 2026), Lot 10123, (2026)
Same office
Other recorded marks at Wallajahabad
6 marks6 other pre-1854 postal markings of Wallajahabad are recorded in the census. Compare their figure numbers, dates and colours to identify the mark on your cover.
About this Wallajahabad pre stamp cover
COV-5314 is a Wallajahabad pre stamp cover of 21 December 1826 bearing the Wallajahabad HG 4 handstamp, struck in black, recorded in the census of Wallajahabad postal history — the office known today as Walajabad, Madras Presidency. What is a pre stamp cover?
India, Wallajahabad, 1826, "WALLAJAHBAUD/POST PAID" Oval Handstamp (Giles 4). Clear and mostly complete strike in red with manuscript "21 Decmbr 1826" date and rate marking on back of part of folded letter sheet (missing bottom and side flaps) to London, England, sender's directive "For England" , partially struck framed "INDIA LETTER/SOUTHAMPTON" handstamp, Madras Outstation (Dec. 22) transit and London arrival backstamps, cover with edgewear and small tears, also with some overall toning, Fine strike of this scarce postal marking
Its recorded auction history runs through Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries The Magnolia Collection: India Postal History, Part 8 (Sale 9061, 21 October 2026) lot 10123 (2026).
2 images of COV-5314 are recorded; the Wallajahabad HG 4 mark itself is recorded in use 1822–1824.
Questions about COV-5314
- What is COV-5314?
- COV-5314 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Wallajahabad, Madras Presidency of 21 December 1826, bearing the Wallajahabad HG 4 handstamp in black. India, Wallajahabad, 1826, "WALLAJAHBAUD/POST PAID" Oval Handstamp (Giles 4). Clear and mostly complete strike in red with manuscript "21 Decmbr 1826" date and rate marking on back of part of folded letter sheet (missing bottom and side flaps) to London, England, sender's directive "For England" , partially struck framed "INDIA LETTER/SOUTHAMPTON" handstamp, Madras Outstation (Dec. 22) transit and London arrival backstamps, cover with edgewear and small tears, also with some overall toning, Fine strike of this scarce postal marking
- How scarce is the Wallajahabad HG 4 mark on this cover?
- The census grades Wallajahabad HG 4 as common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1822–1824.
- What is the provenance of COV-5314?
- Its recorded auction history runs through Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries The Magnolia Collection: India Postal History, Part 8 (Sale 9061, 21 October 2026) lot 10123 (2026).
- When was COV-5314 posted?
- COV-5314 is dated 21 December 1826, within the recorded period of use of Wallajahabad HG 4 (1822–1824).
About this record
This 21 December 1826 pre stamp cover of British India bears the Wallajahabad HG 4 handstamp of the Madras Presidency, a mark graded “Common” in this census — one of 7 surviving covers with this mark recorded. It has appeared at auction with Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries, The Magnolia Collection: India Postal History, Part 8 (Sale 9061, 21 October 2026), lot 10123, (2026).