How scarce is the Lucknow HG 9 mark on this cover?

The census grades Lucknow HG 9 as common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1844–1845.

When was COV-5297 posted?

COV-5297 is dated 1844, within the recorded period of use of Lucknow HG 9 (1844–1845).

COV-5297

1844 Lucknow Cover

Back to census|Lucknow HG 9

Pre-stamp cover of India — 1844, Lucknow HG 9 handstruck folded letter (COV-5297)

Pre-stamp cover of India — Lucknow HG 9, scan 2 (COV-5297)

Scan or Photo Courtesy of Siegel Auction Galleries

Date

1844

Description

India, Lucknow, 1844, "LUKNOW/184_ SEPT 22/BEARING" Framed Handstamp (Giles 9). Bold strike on back and applied on arrival to 1844 folded letter from Calcutta to Liet. R.H. Gennys of the 44th Native Infantry in Lucknow, Calcutta Sept. 16 despatch datestamp on back, cover with some minor edge soiling, Very Fine strike

Auction

Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries

The Magnolia Collection: India Postal History, Part 8 (Sale 9061, 21 October 2026), Lot 10095, (2026)

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-5297 is a Lucknow pre stamp cover of 1844 bearing the Lucknow HG 9 handstamp, struck in black, recorded in the census of Lucknow postal history, North Western Provinces. What is a pre stamp cover?

Its recorded auction history runs through Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries The Magnolia Collection: India Postal History, Part 8 (Sale 9061, 21 October 2026) lot 10095 (2026).

2 images of COV-5297 are recorded; the Lucknow HG 9 mark itself is recorded in use 1844–1845.

Questions about COV-5297

What is COV-5297?: COV-5297 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Lucknow, North Western Provinces of 1844, bearing the Lucknow HG 9 handstamp in black. India, Lucknow, 1844, "LUKNOW/184_ SEPT 22/BEARING" Framed Handstamp (Giles 9). Bold strike on back and applied on arrival to 1844 folded letter from Calcutta to Liet. R.H. Gennys of the 44th Native Infantry in Lucknow, Calcutta Sept. 16 despatch datestamp on back, cover with some minor edge soiling, Very Fine strike
How scarce is the Lucknow HG 9 mark on this cover?: The census grades Lucknow HG 9 as common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1844–1845.
What is the provenance of COV-5297?: Its recorded auction history runs through Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries The Magnolia Collection: India Postal History, Part 8 (Sale 9061, 21 October 2026) lot 10095 (2026).
When was COV-5297 posted?: COV-5297 is dated 1844, within the recorded period of use of Lucknow HG 9 (1844–1845).

About this record

This 1844 pre stamp cover of British India bears the Lucknow HG 9 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, The Magnolia Collection: India Postal History, Part 8 (Sale 9061, 21 October 2026), lot 10095, (2026).