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-435 posted?

COV-435 is dated 10 April 1831, within the recorded period of use of Merut HG 3A (1827–1832).

COV-435

10 April 1831 Merut Cover

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

← COV-278 COV-475 →

Pre-stamp cover of India — 10 April 1831, Merut HG 3A handstruck folded letter (COV-435) — back

Pre-stamp cover of India — Merut HG 3A, front (COV-435) — front

Scan or Photo Courtesy of Siegel Auction Galleries

Date

10 April 1831

Description

India, Merut, 1831, "MERUT./Pt Pd" Oval Handstamp (Giles 2). Complete strike with manuscript "10 April 31" date and rate markings on back of folded cover (missing inner sheet) to London, England, exceptional and mostly complete strike of large "INDIA SHIP LETTER, LONDON/4" double-circle handstamp (Robertson In. 3), Calcutta Ship Letter (Apr. 12, Giles SD9) transit and red London (Dec. 10) arrival backstamps, Very Fine, despite this "4" Ship Letter marking being recorded used between 1827-40 and concurrently with other Ship Letter markings, only a handful of examples are known, it is not a concessionary rate marking but was a special sea post rate from India indicating only a charge of 4p was necessary to port of entry (London)

Auction

Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries

Sale 9042, Lot 10096, — The Magnolia Collection Part 6

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-435 is a Merut pre stamp cover of 10 April 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 Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries Sale 9042 lot 10096.

2 images of COV-435 are recorded (back, front); the Merut HG 3A mark itself is recorded in use 1827–1832.

Questions about COV-435

What is COV-435?: COV-435 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Merut, North Western Provinces of 10 April 1831, bearing the Merut HG 3A handstamp in black. India, Merut, 1831, "MERUT./Pt Pd" Oval Handstamp (Giles 2). Complete strike with manuscript "10 April 31" date and rate markings on back of folded cover (missing inner sheet) to London, England, exceptional and mostly complete strike of large "INDIA SHIP LETTER, LONDON/4" double-circle handstamp (Robertson In. 3), Calcutta Ship Letter (Apr. 12, Giles SD9) transit and red London (Dec. 10) arrival backstamps, Very Fine, despite this "4" Ship Letter marking being recorded used between 1827-40 and concurrently with other Ship Letter markings, only a handful of examples are known, it is not a concessionary rate marking but was a special sea post rate from India indicating only a charge of 4p was necessary to port of entry (London)
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-435?: Its recorded auction history runs through Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries Sale 9042 lot 10096.
When was COV-435 posted?: COV-435 is dated 10 April 1831, within the recorded period of use of Merut HG 3A (1827–1832).

About this record

This 10 April 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 Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries, Sale 9042, lot 10096.