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

The census grades Barelly HG 3 as common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1838–1854.

When was COV-5325 posted?

COV-5325 is dated 1 October 1854, within the recorded period of use of Barelly HG 3 (1838–1854).

COV-5325

1 October 1854 Barelly Cover

Back to census|Barelly HG 3 · 4 covers recorded

← COV-4014

Pre-stamp cover of India — 1 October 1854, Barelly HG 3 handstruck folded letter (COV-5325)

Pre-stamp cover of India — Barelly HG 3, scan 2 (COV-5325)

Scan or Photo Courtesy of Siegel Auction Galleries

Date

1 October 1854

Description

India, 1854, 1a Deep Red, Die I (4a; SG 11). Vertical pair, large to ample margins, tied by dotted diamond cancels on blue 1854 cover to Nynee Tal, Bareily Oct. 20, 1854 despatch datestamp (Giles 3) on back, faint Nynee Tal (Oct. 23, Giles unrecorded without "Paid") arrival backstamp, accompanied by original enclosure, Very Fine, an early use less than three weeks after issuance of the 1854 Lithographs on Oct. 1, 1854

Auction

Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries

The Magnolia Collection: India Postal History, Part 8 (Sale 9061, 21 October 2026), Lot 10132, (2026)

Same office

Other recorded marks at Barelly

5 marks

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

View all Barelly marks and postal history →

About this Barelly pre stamp cover

COV-5325 is a Barelly pre stamp cover of 1 October 1854 bearing the Barelly HG 3 handstamp, struck in purple, recorded in the census of Barelly postal history — the office known today as Bareilly, 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 10132 (2026).

2 images of COV-5325 are recorded; the Barelly HG 3 mark itself is recorded in use 1838–1854.

Questions about COV-5325

What is COV-5325?: COV-5325 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Barelly, North Western Provinces of 1 October 1854, bearing the Barelly HG 3 handstamp in purple. India, 1854, 1a Deep Red, Die I (4a; SG 11). Vertical pair, large to ample margins, tied by dotted diamond cancels on blue 1854 cover to Nynee Tal, Bareily Oct. 20, 1854 despatch datestamp (Giles 3) on back, faint Nynee Tal (Oct. 23, Giles unrecorded without "Paid") arrival backstamp, accompanied by original enclosure, Very Fine, an early use less than three weeks after issuance of the 1854 Lithographs on Oct. 1, 1854
How scarce is the Barelly HG 3 mark on this cover?: The census grades Barelly HG 3 as common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1838–1854.
What is the provenance of COV-5325?: 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 10132 (2026).
When was COV-5325 posted?: COV-5325 is dated 1 October 1854, within the recorded period of use of Barelly HG 3 (1838–1854).

About this record

This 1 October 1854 pre stamp cover of British India bears the Barelly HG 3 handstamp of the North Western Provinces, a mark graded “Common” in this census — one of 4 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 10132, (2026).