How scarce is the Benares HG 5 mark on this cover?

The census grades Benares HG 5 as 1 example recorded, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1829.

When was COV-1950 posted?

COV-1950 is dated 15 May 1829, within the recorded period of use of Benares HG 5 (1829).

COV-1950

15 May 1829 Benares Cover

Back to census|Benares HG 5

Pre-stamp cover of India — 15 May 1829, Benares HG 5 handstruck folded letter (COV-1950) — front

Pre-stamp cover of India — Benares HG 5, scan 2 (COV-1950)

Scan or Photo Courtesy of Spink

Date

15 May 1829

Description

Benares: 1829 (15 May) native wrapper (opened-out) to Jeypore showing the sole example recorded of the framed "BENARES/U P. P./18" datestamp (HG 5), and 1834 (15 Aug.) entire letter from Calcutta to the Post Office at Benares, not collected and returned to Calcutta with framed "BENARES/BEARING" (HG 6, the third recorded example). Photo for first.

Auction

Spink

Lot 161

Provenance

Derek Hammond Giles

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-1950 is a Benares pre stamp cover of 15 May 1829 bearing the Benares HG 5 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 Spink lot 161.

2 images of COV-1950 are recorded (front); the Benares HG 5 mark itself is recorded in use 1829.

Questions about COV-1950

What is COV-1950?: COV-1950 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Benares, North Western Provinces of 15 May 1829, bearing the Benares HG 5 handstamp in black. Benares: 1829 (15 May) native wrapper (opened-out) to Jeypore showing the sole example recorded of the framed "BENARES/U P. P./18" datestamp (HG 5), and 1834 (15 Aug.) entire letter from Calcutta to the Post Office at Benares, not collected and returned to Calcutta with framed "BENARES/BEARING" (HG 6, the third recorded example). Photo for first.
How scarce is the Benares HG 5 mark on this cover?: The census grades Benares HG 5 as 1 example recorded, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1829.
What is the provenance of COV-1950?: Its recorded auction history runs through Spink lot 161.
When was COV-1950 posted?: COV-1950 is dated 15 May 1829, within the recorded period of use of Benares HG 5 (1829).

About this record

This 15 May 1829 pre stamp cover of British India bears the Benares HG 5 handstamp of the North Western Provinces, a mark with 1 example recorded in this census — the only surviving cover with this mark recorded so far. It has appeared at auction with Spink, lot 161.