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Hand Struck Stamps

COV-1254

1854 Benares Cover

Back to census|Benares HG 17 · 4 covers recorded
Pre-stamp cover of India — 1854, Benares HG 17 handstruck folded letter (COV-1254)
Pre-stamp cover of India — Benares HG 17, scan 2 (COV-1254)

Scan or Photo Courtesy of StampBay Auctions

Date

1854

Description

1854 BENARAS Paid HG 17 on cover to New York via Calcutta sent by British Packet

Auction

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-1254 is a Benares pre stamp cover of 1854 bearing the Benares HG 17 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?

1854 BENARAS Paid HG 17 on cover to New York via Calcutta sent by British Packet

Its recorded auction history runs through StampBay 7 lot 11.

2 images of COV-1254 are recorded; the Benares HG 17 mark itself is recorded in use 1849–1854.

Questions about COV-1254

What is COV-1254?
COV-1254 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Benares, North Western Provinces of 1854, bearing the Benares HG 17 handstamp in red. 1854 BENARAS Paid HG 17 on cover to New York via Calcutta sent by British Packet
How scarce is the Benares HG 17 mark on this cover?
The census grades Benares HG 17 as common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1849–1854.
What is the provenance of COV-1254?
Its recorded auction history runs through StampBay 7 lot 11.
When was COV-1254 posted?
COV-1254 is dated 1854, within the recorded period of use of Benares HG 17 (1849–1854).

About this record

This 1854 pre stamp cover of British India bears the Benares HG 17 handstamp of the North Western Provinces, a mark graded “Common” in this census — one of 4 surviving covers with this mark recorded. It has appeared at auction with StampBay, 7, lot 11.