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-4909 posted?

COV-4909 is dated 6 May 1824, within the recorded period of use of Benares HG 3 (1824–1836).

COV-4909

6 May 1824 Benares HG 3 Cover

Back to census|Benares HG 3 · 18 covers recorded

← COV-3758

Pre-stamp cover of India — 6 May 1824, Benares HG 3 handstruck folded letter (COV-4909)

Pre-stamp cover of India — Benares HG 3, scan 2 (COV-4909)

Scan or Photo Courtesy of Argyll Etkin Auctions

Date

6 May 1824

Description

1824-47 Entire letters (4), part entire and a front from India to G.B, one with double ring Benares Post Paid datestamp, and an 1831 entire letter from Dublin to Nagpoor redirected to Pondicherry with oval "BOMBAY / G.P.O / POSTAGE NOT PAID". (7).

Auction

Argyll Etkin

G.B & Worldwide Stamps and Postal History, Lot 986, (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-4909 is a Benares pre stamp cover of 6 May 1824 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 Argyll Etkin Limited G.B & Worldwide Stamps and Postal History lot 986 (2025).

2 images of COV-4909 are recorded; the Benares HG 3 mark itself is recorded in use 1824–1836.

Questions about COV-4909

What is COV-4909?: COV-4909 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Benares, North Western Provinces of 6 May 1824, bearing the Benares HG 3 handstamp in black. 1824-47 Entire letters (4), part entire and a front from India to G.B, one with double ring Benares Post Paid datestamp, and an 1831 entire letter from Dublin to Nagpoor redirected to Pondicherry with oval "BOMBAY / G.P.O / POSTAGE NOT PAID". (7).
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-4909?: Its recorded auction history runs through Argyll Etkin Limited G.B & Worldwide Stamps and Postal History lot 986 (2025).
When was COV-4909 posted?: COV-4909 is dated 6 May 1824, within the recorded period of use of Benares HG 3 (1824–1836).

About this record

This 6 May 1824 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 Argyll Etkin, G.B & Worldwide Stamps and Postal History, lot 986, (2025).