How scarce is the Merut HG 3 mark on this cover?

The census grades Merut HG 3 as common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1831–1837.

When was COV-5301 posted?

COV-5301 is dated 30 November 1820, within the recorded period of use of Merut HG 3 (1831–1837).

COV-5301

30 November 1820 Merut Cover

Back to census|Merut HG 3 · 17 covers recorded

← COV-4940 COV-5302 →

Pre-stamp cover of India — 30 November 1820, Merut HG 3 handstruck folded letter (COV-5301)

Pre-stamp cover of India — Merut HG 3, scan 2 (COV-5301)

Pre-stamp cover of India — Merut HG 3, scan 3 (COV-5301)

Pre-stamp cover of India — Merut HG 3, scan 4 (COV-5301)

Scan or Photo Courtesy of Siegel Auction Galleries

Date

30 November 1820

Description

India, Merut, 1820-27, "MERUT./Pt Pd" Oval Handstamp (Giles 3). Two covers in Black and Red, Black strike with manuscript "14 Decr 20" date added on back of folded letter datelined "Shahupaupoor, a village in nr. Murat district, Novbr 30th, 1820" , addressed to Windsor, England, forwarded to London, "INDIA LETTER/PORTSMOUTH" handstamp, Calcutta transit and "WINDSOR" straightline, London arrival, cover with slight overall soiling, Red strike with manuscript "1827 4 Jany" date added on back of folded letter to Calcutta, "PM" handstamp and Calcutta arrival backstamp, Very Fine pair with clear strikes

Auction

Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries

The Magnolia Collection: India Postal History, Part 8 (Sale 9061, 21 October 2026), Lot 10103, (2026)

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-5301 is a Merut pre stamp cover of 30 November 1820 bearing the Merut HG 3 handstamp, struck in black, 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 Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries The Magnolia Collection: India Postal History, Part 8 (Sale 9061, 21 October 2026) lot 10103 (2026).

4 images of COV-5301 are recorded; the Merut HG 3 mark itself is recorded in use 1831–1837.

Questions about COV-5301

What is COV-5301?: COV-5301 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Merut, North Western Provinces of 30 November 1820, bearing the Merut HG 3 handstamp in black. India, Merut, 1820-27, "MERUT./Pt Pd" Oval Handstamp (Giles 3). Two covers in Black and Red, Black strike with manuscript "14 Decr 20" date added on back of folded letter datelined "Shahupaupoor, a village in nr. Murat district, Novbr 30th, 1820" , addressed to Windsor, England, forwarded to London, "INDIA LETTER/PORTSMOUTH" handstamp, Calcutta transit and "WINDSOR" straightline, London arrival, cover with slight overall soiling, Red strike with manuscript "1827 4 Jany" date added on back of folded letter to Calcutta, "PM" handstamp and Calcutta arrival backstamp, Very Fine pair with clear strikes
How scarce is the Merut HG 3 mark on this cover?: The census grades Merut HG 3 as common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1831–1837.
What is the provenance of COV-5301?: 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 10103 (2026).
When was COV-5301 posted?: COV-5301 is dated 30 November 1820, within the recorded period of use of Merut HG 3 (1831–1837).

About this record

This 30 November 1820 pre stamp cover of British India bears the Merut HG 3 handstamp of the North Western Provinces, a mark graded “Common” in this census — one of 17 surviving covers with this mark recorded. 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 10103, (2026).