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
+12 more at this office.View all Benares marks and postal history →
About this Benares pre stamp cover
COV-3287 is a Benares pre stamp cover of 21 February 1849 bearing the Benares HG 16 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?
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.
Its recorded auction history runs through Corinphila Auctions 206 lot 3012 (Jun. 2016).
1 image of COV-3287 is recorded (front); the Benares HG 16 mark itself is recorded in use 1845–1851.
Questions about COV-3287
- What is COV-3287?
- COV-3287 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Benares, North Western Provinces of 21 February 1849, bearing the Benares HG 16 handstamp in black. 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.
- How scarce is the Benares HG 16 mark on this cover?
- The census grades Benares HG 16 as common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1845–1851.
- What is the provenance of COV-3287?
- Its recorded auction history runs through Corinphila Auctions 206 lot 3012 (Jun. 2016).
- When was COV-3287 posted?
- COV-3287 is dated 21 February 1849, within the recorded period of use of Benares HG 16 (1845–1851).
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 — one of 2 surviving covers with this mark recorded. It has appeared at auction with Corinphila Auctions, 206, lot 3012, (Jun. 2016).