How scarce is the Benares HG 11 mark on this cover?

The census grades Benares HG 11 as common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1850–1856.

When was COV-4154 posted?

COV-4154 is dated 1854, within the recorded period of use of Benares HG 11 (1850–1856).

COV-4154

1854 Benares Cover

Back to census|Benares HG 11

Pre-stamp cover of India — 1854, Benares HG 11 handstruck folded letter (COV-4154) — front

Scan or Photo Courtesy of Gowtham BJ

Date

1854

Description

Rare cover posted in 1854 Small cover from Loodiana with slide Bearing Giles 10 to Benares Giles 11 'Not Found' and returned. Also has red 2-line stamps of Loodiana & Benares. Ex Giles and used for illustration in his book.

Provenance

Ex 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-4154 is a Benares pre stamp cover of 1854 bearing the Benares HG 11 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?

Ex Giles

1 image of COV-4154 is recorded (front); the Benares HG 11 mark itself is recorded in use 1850–1856.

Questions about COV-4154

What is COV-4154?: COV-4154 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Benares, North Western Provinces of 1854, bearing the Benares HG 11 handstamp in black. Rare cover posted in 1854 Small cover from Loodiana with slide Bearing Giles 10 to Benares Giles 11 'Not Found' and returned. Also has red 2-line stamps of Loodiana & Benares. Ex Giles and used for illustration in his book.
How scarce is the Benares HG 11 mark on this cover?: The census grades Benares HG 11 as common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1850–1856.
What is the provenance of COV-4154?: Ex Giles
When was COV-4154 posted?: COV-4154 is dated 1854, within the recorded period of use of Benares HG 11 (1850–1856).

About this record

This 1854 pre stamp cover of British India bears the Benares HG 11 handstamp of the North Western Provinces, a mark graded “Common” in this census — the only surviving cover with this mark recorded so far.