Scan or Photo Courtesy of Corinphila Auctions
Date
21 February 1849
Description
Incoming Mail 1849 & 1851: Covers (2) both from Benares (Varanasi) to Kathmandu, Nepal. Earlier February 1849 cover with poor 'BENARES CITY / Bearing' handstamp in black with date '21 Feb.y 49' and rate '6' in manuscript; together with 1851 unpaid cover from the exiled Queen Rajya Laxmi (who ordered the infamous 'Kot Massacre') in Benares to Kathmandu again with poor 'BENARES CITY / Bearing' handstamp in black, dated '11 July / 51' and rated '9' annas in manuscript; both covers unusually endorsed 'To Nepaul' alongside the handstamps.
Auction
206, Lot 3012, (Jun. 2016)
Provenance
Dr. Wolfgang C. Hellrigl
Same office
Other recorded marks at Benares
18 marks18 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.
- Benares HG 1handstampBlack1810–1820
- Benares HG 2handstampBlack1811
- Benares HG 3handstampBlack1824–1836
- Benares HG 4handstampBlack1827-35
- Benares HG 5handstampBlack1829
- Benares HG 6handstampBlack1832–1835
- Benares HG 7handstampRed1840-53
- Benares HG 8handstampBlack1839–1852
- Benares HG 9handstampRed1839-45
- Benares HG 10handstampRed1839
- Benares HG 11handstampBlack1850-56
- Benares HG 12handstampRed1845-50
- Benares HG 13handstampBlack1847-53
- Benares HG 14handstampRed1844
- Benares HG 15handstampBlack1852
- Benares HG 17handstampRed1854
- Benares HG 18handstampBlack1851–1854
- Benares MN 1manuscript1808
About this record
This 21 February 1849 pre stamp cover of British India bears the Benares HG 16 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 Corinphila Auctions, 206, lot 3012, (Jun. 2016).