COV-3774 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Benares, North Western Provinces of 28 April 1849, bearing the Benares HG 13 handstamp in black. India 1849 Folded Letter from Benares to Mussoorie with Handstruck 'Bearing 4as' Marking, Featuring Wax Seal Remnant and Rare Benares Stan Postmark in Black Boxed Cachet

How scarce is the Benares HG 13 mark on this cover?

The census grades Benares HG 13 as common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1847-53.

When was COV-3774 posted?

COV-3774 is dated 28 April 1849, within the recorded period of use of Benares HG 13 (1847-53).

COV-3774

28 April 1849 Benares Cover

Back to census|Benares HG 13

Pre-stamp cover of India — 28 April 1849, Benares HG 13 handstruck folded letter (COV-3774)

Pre-stamp cover of India — Benares HG 13, scan 2 (COV-3774)

Pre-stamp cover of India — Benares HG 13, scan 3 (COV-3774)

Pre-stamp cover of India — Benares HG 13, scan 4 (COV-3774)

Scan or Photo Courtesy of Sephils

Date

28 April 1849

Description

India 1849 Folded Letter from Benares to Mussoorie with Handstruck 'Bearing 4as' Marking, Featuring Wax Seal Remnant and Rare Benares Stan Postmark in Black Boxed Cachet

Auction

Sephils

444, Lot 0090, (2025)

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-3774 is a Benares pre stamp cover of 28 April 1849 bearing the Benares HG 13 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?

India 1849 Folded Letter from Benares to Mussoorie with Handstruck 'Bearing 4as' Marking, Featuring Wax Seal Remnant and Rare Benares Stan Postmark in Black Boxed Cachet

Its recorded auction history runs through Sephils 444 lot 0090 (2025).

4 images of COV-3774 are recorded; the Benares HG 13 mark itself is recorded in use 1847-53.

Questions about COV-3774

What is COV-3774?: COV-3774 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Benares, North Western Provinces of 28 April 1849, bearing the Benares HG 13 handstamp in black. India 1849 Folded Letter from Benares to Mussoorie with Handstruck 'Bearing 4as' Marking, Featuring Wax Seal Remnant and Rare Benares Stan Postmark in Black Boxed Cachet
How scarce is the Benares HG 13 mark on this cover?: The census grades Benares HG 13 as common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1847-53.
What is the provenance of COV-3774?: Its recorded auction history runs through Sephils 444 lot 0090 (2025).
When was COV-3774 posted?: COV-3774 is dated 28 April 1849, within the recorded period of use of Benares HG 13 (1847-53).

About this record

This 28 April 1849 pre stamp cover of British India bears the Benares HG 13 handstamp of the North Western Provinces, a mark graded “Common” in this census — the only surviving cover with this mark recorded so far. It has appeared at auction with Sephils, 444, lot 0090, (2025).