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-3758 posted?

COV-3758 is dated 16 October 1828, within the recorded period of use of Benares HG 3 (1824–1836).

COV-3758

16 October 1828 Benares Cover

Back to census|Benares HG 3 · 19 covers recorded

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Pre-stamp cover of India — 16 October 1828, Benares HG 3 handstruck folded letter (COV-3758)

Pre-stamp cover of India — Benares HG 3, scan 2 (COV-3758)

Pre-stamp cover of India — Benares HG 3, scan 3 (COV-3758)

Pre-stamp cover of India — Benares HG 3, scan 4 (COV-3758)

Scan or Photo Courtesy of Sephils

Date

16 October 1828

Description

India 1828 entire folded letter from Benares (Giles #3) to Goruckpore, featuring a scarce 'Benares/Post Paid/18' circular stamp, manuscript 5as, and red wax seal. Important postal history item.

Auction

Sephils

471, Lot 0101, (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-3758 is a Benares pre stamp cover of 16 October 1828 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?

India 1828 entire folded letter from Benares (Giles #3) to Goruckpore, featuring a scarce 'Benares/Post Paid/18' circular stamp, manuscript 5as, and red wax seal. Important postal history item.

Its recorded auction history runs through Sephils 471 lot 0101 (2025).

4 images of COV-3758 are recorded; the Benares HG 3 mark itself is recorded in use 1824–1836.

Questions about COV-3758

What is COV-3758?: COV-3758 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Benares, North Western Provinces of 16 October 1828, bearing the Benares HG 3 handstamp in black. India 1828 entire folded letter from Benares (Giles #3) to Goruckpore, featuring a scarce 'Benares/Post Paid/18' circular stamp, manuscript 5as, and red wax seal. Important postal history item.
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-3758?: Its recorded auction history runs through Sephils 471 lot 0101 (2025).
When was COV-3758 posted?: COV-3758 is dated 16 October 1828, within the recorded period of use of Benares HG 3 (1824–1836).

About this record

This 16 October 1828 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 19 surviving covers with this mark recorded. It has appeared at auction with Sephils, 471, lot 0101, (2025).