COV-1194 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Benares, North Western Provinces of 5 April 1811, bearing the Benares HG 2 handstamp in black. BENARES BEARING POSTAGE - the only recorded example of Giles 2 on 1811 entire with G.P.O. PtPd Giles 10 and G.P.O. BgPg Giles 11 - Unique

How scarce is the Benares HG 2 mark on this cover?

The census grades Benares HG 2 as 2 examples recorded, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1811.

When was COV-1194 posted?

COV-1194 is dated 5 April 1811, within the recorded period of use of Benares HG 2 (1811).

COV-1194

5 April 1811 Benares Cover

Back to census|Benares HG 2

Pre-stamp cover of India — 5 April 1811, Benares HG 2 handstruck folded letter (COV-1194) — back

Pre-stamp cover of India — Benares HG 2, front (COV-1194) — front

Scan or Photo Courtesy of StampBay Auctions

Date

5 April 1811

Description

BENARES BEARING POSTAGE - the only recorded example of Giles 2 on 1811 entire with G.P.O. PtPd Giles 10 and G.P.O. BgPg Giles 11 - Unique

Auction

Spink

Lot 160, (Oct. 2000)

India Study Circle

(2018)

StampBay

4, Lot 1

Provenance

Derek Hammond Giles Private

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-1194 is a Benares pre stamp cover of 5 April 1811 bearing the Benares HG 2 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?

BENARES BEARING POSTAGE - the only recorded example of Giles 2 on 1811 entire with G.P.O. PtPd Giles 10 and G.P.O. BgPg Giles 11 - Unique

Its recorded auction history runs through Spink lot 160 (Oct. 2000); India Study Circle (2018); and StampBay 4 lot 1.

2 images of COV-1194 are recorded (back, front); the Benares HG 2 mark itself is recorded in use 1811.

Questions about COV-1194

What is COV-1194?: COV-1194 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Benares, North Western Provinces of 5 April 1811, bearing the Benares HG 2 handstamp in black. BENARES BEARING POSTAGE - the only recorded example of Giles 2 on 1811 entire with G.P.O. PtPd Giles 10 and G.P.O. BgPg Giles 11 - Unique
How scarce is the Benares HG 2 mark on this cover?: The census grades Benares HG 2 as 2 examples recorded, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1811.
What is the provenance of COV-1194?: Its recorded auction history runs through Spink lot 160 (Oct. 2000); India Study Circle (2018); and StampBay 4 lot 1.
When was COV-1194 posted?: COV-1194 is dated 5 April 1811, within the recorded period of use of Benares HG 2 (1811).

About this record

This 5 April 1811 pre stamp cover of British India bears the Benares HG 2 handstamp of the North Western Provinces, a mark with 2 examples recorded in this census — the only surviving cover with this mark recorded so far. It has appeared at auction with Spink, lot 160, (Oct. 2000); India Study Circle, (2018); StampBay, 4, lot 1.