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

The census grades Agra HG 3 as scarce, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1835.

When was COV-4473 posted?

COV-4473 is dated 19 August 1835, within the recorded period of use of Agra HG 3 (1835).

COV-4473

19 August 1835 Agra Cover

Back to census|Agra HG 3

Pre-stamp cover of India — 19 August 1835, Agra HG 3 handstruck folded letter (COV-4473) — front

Pre-stamp cover of India — Agra HG 3, back (COV-4473) — back

Scan or Photo Courtesy of Corinphila Auctions

Date

19 August 1835

Description

1st Afghan War / General Robert Sale 1835 (Aug 19): Soldier's concessionary rate letter from a Private in His Majesty's 13th Light Infantry at Agra addressed to another soldier in H.M's 31st Regiment at Kurnaul, struck on reverse with heavy impression of framed "AGRA / FREE" handstamp in black. The letter is countersigned by his Commanding Officer at lower left "W. Sale, Lieut. Col.". Full transcript accompanies the lot. Displays well, believed to be the sole known example of this handstamp. Provenance: Spink, London, 4 June 2008, lot 183

Auction

Spink

Lot 183, (4 June 2008)

Corinphila Auctions

367th - 371st Corinphila Auction, Lot 6007, (2026)

Provenance

Spink, London, 4 June 2008, lot 183

Same office

Other recorded marks at Agra

22 marks

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

+16 more at this office.View all Agra marks and postal history →

About this Agra pre stamp cover

COV-4473 is an Agra pre stamp cover of 19 August 1835 bearing the Agra HG 3 handstamp, struck in black, recorded in the census of Agra postal history, North Western Provinces. What is a pre stamp cover?

Its recorded auction history runs through Spink lot 183 (4 June 2008); and Corinphila Auctions 367th - 371st Corinphila Auction lot 6007 (2026).

2 images of COV-4473 are recorded (front, back); the Agra HG 3 mark itself is recorded in use 1835.

Questions about COV-4473

What is COV-4473?: COV-4473 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Agra, North Western Provinces of 19 August 1835, bearing the Agra HG 3 handstamp in black. 1st Afghan War / General Robert Sale 1835 (Aug 19): Soldier's concessionary rate letter from a Private in His Majesty's 13th Light Infantry at Agra addressed to another soldier in H.M's 31st Regiment at Kurnaul, struck on reverse with heavy impression of framed "AGRA / FREE" handstamp in black. The letter is countersigned by his Commanding Officer at lower left "W. Sale, Lieut. Col.". Full transcript accompanies the lot. Displays well, believed to be the sole known example of this handstamp. Provenance: Spink, London, 4 June 2008, lot 183
How scarce is the Agra HG 3 mark on this cover?: The census grades Agra HG 3 as scarce, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1835.
What is the provenance of COV-4473?: Its recorded auction history runs through Spink lot 183 (4 June 2008); and Corinphila Auctions 367th - 371st Corinphila Auction lot 6007 (2026).
When was COV-4473 posted?: COV-4473 is dated 19 August 1835, within the recorded period of use of Agra HG 3 (1835).

About this record

This 19 August 1835 pre stamp cover of British India bears the Agra HG 3 handstamp of the North Western Provinces, a mark graded “Scarce” in this census — the only surviving cover with this mark recorded so far. It has appeared at auction with Spink, lot 183, (4 June 2008); Corinphila Auctions, 367th - 371st Corinphila Auction, lot 6007, (2026).