Scan or Photo Courtesy of Private
Description
Pre-Stamp Cover, Ship and Soldier’s Letter (hand endorsed), 8 Annas, 1853, Chunar to (Cork) Ireland, this cover was posted from Chunar to Cork in Ireland via Calcutta and has a total of 5 postmarks/seals on it. An unrecorded postmark of “CHUNAR” in Red ink rectangular box of two compartments is seen that reads “CHUNAR | 16. OCT. 1853 | Paid 8As”, the text ‘Paid 8/As’ is handwritten. It has an interesting endorsement ‘Soldier’s Letter’ above the receiver’s address, it was addressed to “Leusiou Sey D. Gerau | N 10 Henry Street | Cork, IRELAND”, and has a transit postmark in the Red square seal as “CALCUTTA | G.P.O | SHIP LETTER 17 OC 17 | 1853”, Giles # Type SD 11. It also has a Red round delivery seal citing “PAID | 1853 | 5 DE 53 | BA” and a Red rectangular seal of “INDIA | PAID”, Giles # Type 8D, along with another Red round seal as “3 | DE 6”, very good condition, Extremely Rare.
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Other recorded marks at Chunar
4 marks4 other pre-1854 postal markings of Chunar are recorded in the census. Compare their figure numbers, dates and colours to identify the mark on your cover.
About this Chunar pre stamp cover
COV-4159 is a Chunar pre stamp cover bearing the Chunar HG 5 handstamp, struck in red, recorded in the census of Chunar postal history, North Western Provinces. What is a pre stamp cover?
Pre-Stamp Cover, Ship and Soldier’s Letter (hand endorsed), 8 Annas, 1853, Chunar to (Cork) Ireland, this cover was posted from Chunar to Cork in Ireland via Calcutta and has a total of 5 postmarks/seals on it. An unrecorded postmark of “CHUNAR” in Red ink rectangular box of two compartments is seen that reads “CHUNAR | 16. OCT. 1853 | Paid 8As”, the text ‘Paid 8/As’ is handwritten. It has an interesting endorsement ‘Soldier’s Letter’ above the receiver’s address, it was addressed to “Leusiou Sey D. Gerau | N 10 Henry Street | Cork, IRELAND”, and has a transit postmark in the Red square seal as “CALCUTTA | G.P.O | SHIP LETTER 17 OC 17 | 1853”, Giles # Type SD 11. It also has a Red round delivery seal citing “PAID | 1853 | 5 DE 53 | BA” and a Red rectangular seal of “INDIA | PAID”, Giles # Type 8D, along with another Red round seal as “3 | DE 6”, very good condition, Extremely Rare.
Its recorded auction history runs through marudhararts 41 lot 10.
2 images of COV-4159 are recorded (front); the Chunar HG 5 mark itself is recorded in use 1853.
Questions about COV-4159
- What is COV-4159?
- COV-4159 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Chunar, North Western Provinces, bearing the Chunar HG 5 handstamp in red. Pre-Stamp Cover, Ship and Soldier’s Letter (hand endorsed), 8 Annas, 1853, Chunar to (Cork) Ireland, this cover was posted from Chunar to Cork in Ireland via Calcutta and has a total of 5 postmarks/seals on it. An unrecorded postmark of “CHUNAR” in Red ink rectangular box of two compartments is seen that reads “CHUNAR | 16. OCT. 1853 | Paid 8As”, the text ‘Paid 8/As’ is handwritten. It has an interesting endorsement ‘Soldier’s Letter’ above the receiver’s address, it was addressed to “Leusiou Sey D. Gerau | N 10 Henry Street | Cork, IRELAND”, and has a transit postmark in the Red square seal as “CALCUTTA | G.P.O | SHIP LETTER 17 OC 17 | 1853”, Giles # Type SD 11. It also has a Red round delivery seal citing “PAID | 1853 | 5 DE 53 | BA” and a Red rectangular seal of “INDIA | PAID”, Giles # Type 8D, along with another Red round seal as “3 | DE 6”, very good condition, Extremely Rare.
- How scarce is the Chunar HG 5 mark on this cover?
- The census grades Chunar HG 5 as scarce, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1853.
- What is the provenance of COV-4159?
- Its recorded auction history runs through marudhararts 41 lot 10.
About this record
This pre-1854 pre stamp cover of British India bears the Chunar HG 5 handstamp of the North Western Provinces, a mark graded “Scarce” in this census — the only surviving cover with this mark recorded so far. It has appeared at auction with marudhararts, 41, lot 10.