How scarce is the Allahabad HG 1 mark on this cover?

The census grades Allahabad HG 1 as common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1830–1836.

When was COV-5237 posted?

COV-5237 is dated 20 January 1830, within the recorded period of use of Allahabad HG 1 (1830–1836).

COV-5237

20 January 1830 Allahabad Cover

Back to census|Allahabad HG 1 · 5 covers recorded

← COV-2383

Pre-stamp cover of India — 20 January 1830, Allahabad HG 1 handstruck folded letter (COV-5237)

Pre-stamp cover of India — Allahabad HG 1, scan 2 (COV-5237)

Scan or Photo Courtesy of Siegel Auction Galleries

Date

20 January 1830

Description

India, Allahabad, 1830, "ALLAHABAD/Pt Pd/18__" Circular Handstamp (Giles 1). Clear strike in red with manuscript "20th Jany (18) 30" date and "as 9" rate on back of folded letter to Captain Ouseley at Fort William in Calcutta, framed "AM" handstamp, Calcutta (Jan. 28) arrival backstamp, Very Fine, an early and scarce strike from Allahabad

Auction

Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries

The Magnolia Collection: India Postal History, Part 8 (Sale 9061, 21 October 2026), Lot 10007, (2026)

Same office

Other recorded marks at Allahabad

14 marks

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

+8 more at this office.View all Allahabad marks and postal history →

About this Allahabad pre stamp cover

COV-5237 is an Allahabad pre stamp cover of 20 January 1830 bearing the Allahabad HG 1 handstamp, struck in red, recorded in the census of Allahabad postal history — the office known today as Prayagraj, North Western Provinces. What is a pre stamp cover?

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 10007 (2026).

2 images of COV-5237 are recorded; the Allahabad HG 1 mark itself is recorded in use 1830–1836.

Questions about COV-5237

What is COV-5237?: COV-5237 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Allahabad, North Western Provinces of 20 January 1830, bearing the Allahabad HG 1 handstamp in red. India, Allahabad, 1830, "ALLAHABAD/Pt Pd/18__" Circular Handstamp (Giles 1). Clear strike in red with manuscript "20th Jany (18) 30" date and "as 9" rate on back of folded letter to Captain Ouseley at Fort William in Calcutta, framed "AM" handstamp, Calcutta (Jan. 28) arrival backstamp, Very Fine, an early and scarce strike from Allahabad
How scarce is the Allahabad HG 1 mark on this cover?: The census grades Allahabad HG 1 as common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1830–1836.
What is the provenance of COV-5237?: 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 10007 (2026).
When was COV-5237 posted?: COV-5237 is dated 20 January 1830, within the recorded period of use of Allahabad HG 1 (1830–1836).

About this record

This 20 January 1830 pre stamp cover of British India bears the Allahabad HG 1 handstamp of the North Western Provinces, a mark graded “Common” in this census — one of 5 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 10007, (2026).