How scarce is the Allahabad HG 4b mark on this cover?

The census grades Allahabad HG 4b as common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1838–1844.

When was COV-5337 posted?

COV-5337 is dated 1848, within the recorded period of use of Allahabad HG 4b (1838–1844).

COV-5337

1848 Allahabad Cover

Back to census|Allahabad HG 4b · 8 covers recorded

← COV-4242 COV-5392 →

Pre-stamp cover of India — 1848, Allahabad HG 4b handstruck folded letter (COV-5337)

Pre-stamp cover of India — Allahabad HG 4b, scan 2 (COV-5337)

Scan or Photo Courtesy of Siegel Auction Galleries

Date

1848

Description

India, Allahabad, 1848, "ALLAHABAD/18__/FREE" and "ALAHABAD/184_ FEB 7/FREE" Oval Datestamps (Giles 4b, 7). Two native folded letters to the Rajah of Rewah, Giles No. 4b with "Oct. 9" date added on back of folded letter, cover with some insect holes, Giles No. 7 with "Feb. 7" date slug on folded letter, Fine-Very Fine strikes

Auction

Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries

The Magnolia Collection: India Postal History, Part 8 (Sale 9061, 21 October 2026), Lot 10008, (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-5337 is an Allahabad pre stamp cover of 1848 bearing the Allahabad HG 4b 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 10008 (2026).

2 images of COV-5337 are recorded; the Allahabad HG 4b mark itself is recorded in use 1838–1844.

Questions about COV-5337

What is COV-5337?: COV-5337 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Allahabad, North Western Provinces of 1848, bearing the Allahabad HG 4b handstamp in red. India, Allahabad, 1848, "ALLAHABAD/18__/FREE" and "ALAHABAD/184_ FEB 7/FREE" Oval Datestamps (Giles 4b, 7). Two native folded letters to the Rajah of Rewah, Giles No. 4b with "Oct. 9" date added on back of folded letter, cover with some insect holes, Giles No. 7 with "Feb. 7" date slug on folded letter, Fine-Very Fine strikes
How scarce is the Allahabad HG 4b mark on this cover?: The census grades Allahabad HG 4b as common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1838–1844.
What is the provenance of COV-5337?: 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 10008 (2026).
When was COV-5337 posted?: COV-5337 is dated 1848, within the recorded period of use of Allahabad HG 4b (1838–1844).

About this record

This 1848 pre stamp cover of British India bears the Allahabad HG 4b handstamp of the North Western Provinces, a mark graded “Common” in this census — one of 8 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 10008, (2026).