How scarce is the Benares HG 12 mark on this cover?

The census grades Benares HG 12 as common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1845–1850.

When was COV-5249 posted?

COV-5249 is dated 4 January 1845, within the recorded period of use of Benares HG 12 (1845–1850).

COV-5249

4 January 1845 Benares Cover

Back to census|Benares HG 12 · 7 covers recorded

← COV-4128

Pre-stamp cover of India — 4 January 1845, Benares HG 12 handstruck folded letter (COV-5249)

Pre-stamp cover of India — Benares HG 12, scan 2 (COV-5249)

Scan or Photo Courtesy of Siegel Auction Galleries

Date

4 January 1845

Description

India, Benares, 1845, "BENARES STAn/1845 JAN 4/PAID" Framed Datestamp (Giles 12). Clear strike in red on back of folded cover to "Sir Culling E. Smith" of the London Missionary Society in London, England, sender's directive "Via Calcutta, Via Southampton" , red framed "INDIA" handstamp, Calcutta transit and London (Mar. 27) arrival backstamps, manuscript "1/-" rate marking, Very Fine

Auction

Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries

The Magnolia Collection: India Postal History, Part 8 (Sale 9061, 21 October 2026), Lot 10024, (2026)

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-5249 is a Benares pre stamp cover of 4 January 1845 bearing the Benares HG 12 handstamp, struck in red, 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 Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries The Magnolia Collection: India Postal History, Part 8 (Sale 9061, 21 October 2026) lot 10024 (2026).

2 images of COV-5249 are recorded; the Benares HG 12 mark itself is recorded in use 1845–1850.

Questions about COV-5249

What is COV-5249?: COV-5249 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Benares, North Western Provinces of 4 January 1845, bearing the Benares HG 12 handstamp in red. India, Benares, 1845, "BENARES STAn/1845 JAN 4/PAID" Framed Datestamp (Giles 12). Clear strike in red on back of folded cover to "Sir Culling E. Smith" of the London Missionary Society in London, England, sender's directive "Via Calcutta, Via Southampton" , red framed "INDIA" handstamp, Calcutta transit and London (Mar. 27) arrival backstamps, manuscript "1/-" rate marking, Very Fine
How scarce is the Benares HG 12 mark on this cover?: The census grades Benares HG 12 as common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1845–1850.
What is the provenance of COV-5249?: 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 10024 (2026).
When was COV-5249 posted?: COV-5249 is dated 4 January 1845, within the recorded period of use of Benares HG 12 (1845–1850).

About this record

This 4 January 1845 pre stamp cover of British India bears the Benares HG 12 handstamp of the North Western Provinces, a mark graded “Common” in this census — one of 7 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 10024, (2026).