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

The census grades Merut HG 3A as common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1827–1832.

When was COV-1959 posted?

COV-1959 is dated 2 February 1831, within the recorded period of use of Merut HG 3A (1827–1832).

COV-1959

2 February 1831 Merut Cover

Back to census|Merut HG 3A · 16 covers recorded

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Pre-stamp cover of India — 2 February 1831, Merut HG 3A handstruck folded letter (COV-1959)

Scan or Photo Courtesy of Spink

Date

2 February 1831

Description

Merut: 1824 (26 Sept.) entire letter (damaged) to Edinburgh showing oval-framed "MERUT/P. Pd." (HG 2, rare) in red, Calcutta G.P.O. and India Letter Portsmouth handstamps, and 1831 (2 Feb.) entire letter to London showing similar handstamp in black, Calcutta Ship Letter G.P.O. and India Letter Dover handstamps; both good strikes on reverse.

Auction

Spink

Lot 185

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-1959 is a Merut pre stamp cover of 2 February 1831 bearing the Merut HG 3A 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 Spink lot 185.

1 image of COV-1959 is recorded; the Merut HG 3A mark itself is recorded in use 1827–1832.

Questions about COV-1959

What is COV-1959?: COV-1959 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Merut, North Western Provinces of 2 February 1831, bearing the Merut HG 3A handstamp in black. Merut: 1824 (26 Sept.) entire letter (damaged) to Edinburgh showing oval-framed "MERUT/P. Pd." (HG 2, rare) in red, Calcutta G.P.O. and India Letter Portsmouth handstamps, and 1831 (2 Feb.) entire letter to London showing similar handstamp in black, Calcutta Ship Letter G.P.O. and India Letter Dover handstamps; both good strikes on reverse.
How scarce is the Merut HG 3A mark on this cover?: The census grades Merut HG 3A as common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1827–1832.
What is the provenance of COV-1959?: Its recorded auction history runs through Spink lot 185.
When was COV-1959 posted?: COV-1959 is dated 2 February 1831, within the recorded period of use of Merut HG 3A (1827–1832).

About this record

This 2 February 1831 pre stamp cover of British India bears the Merut HG 3A handstamp of the North Western Provinces, a mark graded “Common” in this census — one of 16 surviving covers with this mark recorded. It has appeared at auction with Spink, lot 185.