How scarce is the Merut HG 12 mark on this cover?

The census grades Merut HG 12 as scarce, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1848–1851.

When was COV-1962 posted?

COV-1962 is dated 3 November 1851, within the recorded period of use of Merut HG 12 (1848–1851).

COV-1962

3 November 1851 Merut Cover

Back to census|Merut HG 12

Pre-stamp cover of India — 3 November 1851, Merut HG 12 handstruck folded letter (COV-1962)

Scan or Photo Courtesy of Spink

Date

3 November 1851

Description

Meerut: 1851 (3 Nov.) entire letter from Calcutta to Meerut, redirected to Cawnpore and returned to Calcutta showin, on reverse, a light strike of the scarce boxed "ntpo" h.s. (HG 12, military handover point to civil P.O.), Cawnpore and Calcutta Bearing h.s.

Auction

Spink

Lot 190

Provenance

Derek Hammond Giles

Same office

Other recorded marks at Merut

17 marks

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

+11 more at this office.View all Merut marks and postal history →

About this Merut pre stamp cover

COV-1962 is a Merut pre stamp cover of 3 November 1851 bearing the Merut HG 12 handstamp, struck in red, recorded in the census of Merut postal history — the office known today as Meerut, North Western Provinces. What is a pre stamp cover?

Its recorded auction history runs through Spink lot 190.

1 image of COV-1962 is recorded; the Merut HG 12 mark itself is recorded in use 1848–1851.

Questions about COV-1962

What is COV-1962?: COV-1962 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Merut, North Western Provinces of 3 November 1851, bearing the Merut HG 12 handstamp in red. Meerut: 1851 (3 Nov.) entire letter from Calcutta to Meerut, redirected to Cawnpore and returned to Calcutta showin, on reverse, a light strike of the scarce boxed "ntpo" h.s. (HG 12, military handover point to civil P.O.), Cawnpore and Calcutta Bearing h.s.
How scarce is the Merut HG 12 mark on this cover?: The census grades Merut HG 12 as scarce, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1848–1851.
What is the provenance of COV-1962?: Its recorded auction history runs through Spink lot 190.
When was COV-1962 posted?: COV-1962 is dated 3 November 1851, within the recorded period of use of Merut HG 12 (1848–1851).

About this record

This 3 November 1851 pre stamp cover of British India bears the Merut HG 12 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 Spink, lot 190.