COV-5231 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Lucknow, North Western Provinces of 1817, bearing the Lucknow HG 1 handstamp in black. 1817, "LUCKNOW POST PAID", clear black oval handstamp on reverse of entire letter to Calcutta with adjacent arrival mark. Very fine and scarce.

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

The census grades Lucknow HG 1 as common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1809–1835.

When was COV-5231 posted?

COV-5231 is dated 1817, within the recorded period of use of Lucknow HG 1 (1809–1835).

COV-5231

1817 Lucknow Cover

Back to census|Lucknow HG 1 · 23 covers recorded

← COV-4948 COV-5296 →

Pre-stamp cover of India — 1817, Lucknow HG 1 handstruck folded letter (COV-5231) — front

Scan or Photo Courtesy of Heinrich Köhler

Date

1817

Description

1817, "LUCKNOW POST PAID", clear black oval handstamp on reverse of entire letter to Calcutta with adjacent arrival mark. Very fine and scarce.

Auction

Heinrich Köhler

Heinrich Koehler Auctions GmbH & Co. KG Sale - 385, Lot 1702, (2025)

Same office

Other recorded marks at Lucknow

15 marks

15 other pre-1854 postal markings of Lucknow are recorded in the census. Compare their figure numbers, dates and colours to identify the mark on your cover.

+9 more at this office.View all Lucknow marks and postal history →

About this Lucknow pre stamp cover

COV-5231 is a Lucknow pre stamp cover of 1817 bearing the Lucknow HG 1 handstamp, struck in black, recorded in the census of Lucknow postal history, North Western Provinces. What is a pre stamp cover?

1817, "LUCKNOW POST PAID", clear black oval handstamp on reverse of entire letter to Calcutta with adjacent arrival mark. Very fine and scarce.

Its recorded auction history runs through Heinrich Köhler Heinrich Koehler Auctions GmbH & Co. KG Sale - 385 lot 1702 (2025).

1 image of COV-5231 is recorded (front); the Lucknow HG 1 mark itself is recorded in use 1809–1835.

Questions about COV-5231

What is COV-5231?: COV-5231 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Lucknow, North Western Provinces of 1817, bearing the Lucknow HG 1 handstamp in black. 1817, "LUCKNOW POST PAID", clear black oval handstamp on reverse of entire letter to Calcutta with adjacent arrival mark. Very fine and scarce.
How scarce is the Lucknow HG 1 mark on this cover?: The census grades Lucknow HG 1 as common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1809–1835.
What is the provenance of COV-5231?: Its recorded auction history runs through Heinrich Köhler Heinrich Koehler Auctions GmbH & Co. KG Sale - 385 lot 1702 (2025).
When was COV-5231 posted?: COV-5231 is dated 1817, within the recorded period of use of Lucknow HG 1 (1809–1835).

About this record

This 1817 pre stamp cover of British India bears the Lucknow HG 1 handstamp of the North Western Provinces, a mark graded “Common” in this census — one of 23 surviving covers with this mark recorded. It has appeared at auction with Heinrich Köhler, Heinrich Koehler Auctions GmbH & Co. KG Sale - 385, lot 1702, (2025).