How scarce is the Benares HG 3 mark on this cover?

The census grades Benares HG 3 as common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1824–1836.

When was COV-2934 posted?

COV-2934 is dated 16 January 1830, within the recorded period of use of Benares HG 3 (1824–1836).

COV-2934

16 January 1830 Benares Cover

Back to census|Benares HG 3 · 18 covers recorded

← COV-2381 COV-2964 →

Pre-stamp cover of India — 16 January 1830, Benares HG 3 handstruck folded letter (COV-2934) — front

Scan or Photo Courtesy of Corinphila Auctions

Date

16 January 1830

Description

1824/30: Entire letters (3) all from India to Exeter, England with 1824 prepaid (10 annas) entire from Sullanpore with circular "BENARES / POST PAID" in black, thence via Calcutta with GPO datestamps and landed with framed "INDIA LETTER / EXETER" in black (Robertson fig. In.1 - six years earlier than recorded by Robertson); 1828 entire letter from Goruckpore prepaid 13 annas landed with framed "INDIA LETTER / DEAL" in black (Robertson fig. In.1) and 1839 entire letter from Meerut via Calcutta endorsed "p. HMS Wellington", landed with framed "INDIA LETTER / BRIGHTON" struck in black (Robertson fig. In.1). A scarce and interesting trio with long contents in each.

Auction

Corinphila Auctions

357th-366th Corinphila Auction, Lot 5439, (21 November 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-2934 is a Benares pre stamp cover of 16 January 1830 bearing the Benares HG 3 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?

Its recorded auction history runs through Corinphila Auctions 357th-366th Corinphila Auction lot 5439 (21 November 2025).

1 image of COV-2934 is recorded (front); the Benares HG 3 mark itself is recorded in use 1824–1836.

Questions about COV-2934

What is COV-2934?: COV-2934 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Benares, North Western Provinces of 16 January 1830, bearing the Benares HG 3 handstamp in black. 1824/30: Entire letters (3) all from India to Exeter, England with 1824 prepaid (10 annas) entire from Sullanpore with circular "BENARES / POST PAID" in black, thence via Calcutta with GPO datestamps and landed with framed "INDIA LETTER / EXETER" in black (Robertson fig. In.1 - six years earlier than recorded by Robertson); 1828 entire letter from Goruckpore prepaid 13 annas landed with framed "INDIA LETTER / DEAL" in black (Robertson fig. In.1) and 1839 entire letter from Meerut via Calcutta endorsed "p. HMS Wellington", landed with framed "INDIA LETTER / BRIGHTON" struck in black (Robertson fig. In.1). A scarce and interesting trio with long contents in each.
How scarce is the Benares HG 3 mark on this cover?: The census grades Benares HG 3 as common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1824–1836.
What is the provenance of COV-2934?: Its recorded auction history runs through Corinphila Auctions 357th-366th Corinphila Auction lot 5439 (21 November 2025).
When was COV-2934 posted?: COV-2934 is dated 16 January 1830, within the recorded period of use of Benares HG 3 (1824–1836).

About this record

This 16 January 1830 pre stamp cover of British India bears the Benares HG 3 handstamp of the North Western Provinces, a mark graded “Common” in this census — one of 18 surviving covers with this mark recorded. It has appeared at auction with Corinphila Auctions, 357th-366th Corinphila Auction, lot 5439, (21 November 2025).