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.

When was COV-3767 posted?

COV-3767 is dated 1845, within the recorded period of use of Benares HG 16 (1845–1851).

COV-3767

1845 Benares Cover

Back to census|Benares HG 16 · 2 covers recorded

← COV-3287

Pre-stamp cover of India — 1845, Benares HG 16 handstruck folded letter (COV-3767)

Pre-stamp cover of India — Benares HG 16, scan 2 (COV-3767)

Pre-stamp cover of India — Benares HG 16, scan 3 (COV-3767)

Pre-stamp cover of India — Benares HG 16, scan 4 (COV-3767)

Scan or Photo Courtesy of Sephils

Date

1845

Description

India 1845 Entire Letter from Benares to Bombay, featuring a rare 6as bearing mark and small sender's seal. Includes Giles Type 8 and Type 20 postmarks, enhancing postal history.

Auction

Sephils

464, Lot 0095, (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-3767 is a Benares pre stamp cover of 1845 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?

India 1845 Entire Letter from Benares to Bombay, featuring a rare 6as bearing mark and small sender's seal. Includes Giles Type 8 and Type 20 postmarks, enhancing postal history.

Its recorded auction history runs through Sephils 464 lot 0095 (2025).

4 images of COV-3767 are recorded; the Benares HG 16 mark itself is recorded in use 1845–1851.

Questions about COV-3767

What is COV-3767?: COV-3767 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Benares, North Western Provinces of 1845, bearing the Benares HG 16 handstamp in black. India 1845 Entire Letter from Benares to Bombay, featuring a rare 6as bearing mark and small sender's seal. Includes Giles Type 8 and Type 20 postmarks, enhancing postal history.
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-3767?: Its recorded auction history runs through Sephils 464 lot 0095 (2025).
When was COV-3767 posted?: COV-3767 is dated 1845, within the recorded period of use of Benares HG 16 (1845–1851).

About this record

This 1845 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 Sephils, 464, lot 0095, (2025).