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

The census grades Benares HG 1 as rare, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1810–1820.

When was COV-1884 posted?

COV-1884 is dated 6 May 1810, within the recorded period of use of Benares HG 1 (1810–1820).

COV-1884

6 May 1810 Benares Cover

Back to census|Benares HG 1 · 4 covers recorded

← COV-1530

Pre-stamp cover of India — 6 May 1810, Benares HG 1 handstruck folded letter (COV-1884) — front

Pre-stamp cover of India — Benares HG 1, scan 2 (COV-1884)

Scan or Photo Courtesy of Spink

Date

6 May 1810

Description

Benares: 1810 (6 May) entire letter from Major Wilford to Major Francklin, Boghpoor, Sinbad showing, on reverse, a very fine strike of the rare unframed oval "BENARES/POSTAGE PAID" (HG 1, one of three recorded) completed for 5a. Photo.

Auction

Spink

Lot 159

Provenance

Derek Hammond Giles

Same office

Other recorded marks at Benares

18 marks

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

+12 more at this office.View all Benares marks and postal history →

About this Benares pre stamp cover

COV-1884 is a Benares pre stamp cover of 6 May 1810 bearing the Benares HG 1 handstamp, struck in black, recorded in the census of Benares postal history — the office known today as Varanasi, North Western Provinces. What is a pre stamp cover?

Its recorded auction history runs through Spink lot 159.

2 images of COV-1884 are recorded (front); the Benares HG 1 mark itself is recorded in use 1810–1820.

Questions about COV-1884

What is COV-1884?: COV-1884 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Benares, North Western Provinces of 6 May 1810, bearing the Benares HG 1 handstamp in black. Benares: 1810 (6 May) entire letter from Major Wilford to Major Francklin, Boghpoor, Sinbad showing, on reverse, a very fine strike of the rare unframed oval "BENARES/POSTAGE PAID" (HG 1, one of three recorded) completed for 5a. Photo.
How scarce is the Benares HG 1 mark on this cover?: The census grades Benares HG 1 as rare, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1810–1820.
What is the provenance of COV-1884?: Its recorded auction history runs through Spink lot 159.
When was COV-1884 posted?: COV-1884 is dated 6 May 1810, within the recorded period of use of Benares HG 1 (1810–1820).

About this record

This 6 May 1810 pre stamp cover of British India bears the Benares HG 1 handstamp of the North Western Provinces, a mark graded “Rare” in this census — one of 4 surviving covers with this mark recorded. It has appeared at auction with Spink, lot 159.