COV-13 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Bhilsa, North Western Provinces, bearing the Bhilsa HG 1 handstamp in black. Clear strike on folded letter from Bhilsa. Giles 1 variety. Fine.

How scarce is the Bhilsa HG 1 mark on this cover?

The census grades Bhilsa HG 1 as common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1848.

COV-13

Bhilsa Cover

Back to census|Bhilsa HG 1

Pre-stamp cover of India — Bhilsa HG 1 handstruck folded letter (COV-13) — front

Pre-stamp cover of India — Bhilsa HG 1, back (COV-13) — back

Scan or Photo Courtesy of Siegel Auction Galleries

Description

Clear strike on folded letter from Bhilsa. Giles 1 variety. Fine.

Auction

Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries

Sale 9054, Lot 10011, — Magnolia Collection Part 7

Provenance

•2026, Siegel Auction Galleries, Sale 9054, Lot 10011, Realized $100— The Magnolia Collection: India Postal History, Part 7 (Robert C. Bauer)

Same office

Other recorded marks at Bhilsa

1 mark

One other pre-1854 postal marking of Bhilsa is recorded in the census. Compare it against this mark to place your cover.

Bhilsa HG 2handstampPurple1852

View all Bhilsa marks and postal history →

About this Bhilsa pre stamp cover

COV-13 is a Bhilsa pre stamp cover bearing the Bhilsa HG 1 handstamp, struck in black, recorded in the census of Bhilsa postal history — the office known today as Vidisha, North Western Provinces. What is a pre stamp cover?

Clear strike on folded letter from Bhilsa. Giles 1 variety. Fine.

Its recorded auction history runs through Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries Sale 9054 lot 10011.

2 images of COV-13 are recorded (front, back); the Bhilsa HG 1 mark itself is recorded in use 1848.

Questions about COV-13

What is COV-13?: COV-13 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Bhilsa, North Western Provinces, bearing the Bhilsa HG 1 handstamp in black. Clear strike on folded letter from Bhilsa. Giles 1 variety. Fine.
How scarce is the Bhilsa HG 1 mark on this cover?: The census grades Bhilsa HG 1 as common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1848.
What is the provenance of COV-13?: Its recorded auction history runs through Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries Sale 9054 lot 10011.

About this record

This pre-1854 pre stamp cover of British India bears the Bhilsa HG 1 handstamp of the North Western Provinces, a mark graded “Common” in this census — the only surviving cover with this mark recorded so far. It has appeared at auction with Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries, Sale 9054, lot 10011. Recorded prices realized: $100, Siegel Auction Galleries, (2026).