Scan or Photo Courtesy of Grosvenor Auctions
Date
1839
Description
India: 1839 (Sept. 19) entire (a few faults, crosswritten affected by staining) to Dunse (Scotland) with “DUBLIN/Ship Letter” at right and reverse with framed “MEERUT” datestamp (Giles type 5; date in manuscript), framed Calcutta G.P.O. Ship letter datestamp, Dublin diamond-shaped datestamp and Edinburgh c.d.s. Contents by an Officer Brown at the Meerut Garrison with reference to the Earl of Dalhousie (later Governor-General of India), ongoing campaign in Afghanistan and the rebellions of some local rajahs that were causing difficulties for the British troops. Photo.
Auction
GPA 174: British Empire & Foreign Countries, Lot 1072, (2026)
Same office
Other recorded marks at Merut
17 marks17 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.
- Merut HG 1handstampBlack1809–1827
- Merut HG 1AhandstampRed1827
- Merut HG 2handstampRed1814–1827
- Merut HG 3handstampBlack1831–1837
- Merut HG 3AhandstampBlack1827–1832
- Merut HG 4handstampBlack1835–1837
+11 more at this office.View all Merut marks and postal history →
About this Merut pre stamp cover
COV-4921 is a Merut pre stamp cover of 1839 bearing the Merut HG 5 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?
India: 1839 (Sept. 19) entire (a few faults, crosswritten affected by staining) to Dunse (Scotland) with “DUBLIN/Ship Letter” at right and reverse with framed “MEERUT” datestamp (Giles type 5; date in manuscript), framed Calcutta G.P.O. Ship letter datestamp, Dublin diamond-shaped datestamp and Edinburgh c.d.s. Contents by an Officer Brown at the Meerut Garrison with reference to the Earl of Dalhousie (later Governor-General of India), ongoing campaign in Afghanistan and the rebellions of some local rajahs that were causing difficulties for the British troops. Photo.
Its recorded auction history runs through Grosvenor Philatelic Auctions GPA 174: British Empire & Foreign Countries lot 1072 (2026).
1 image of COV-4921 is recorded; the Merut HG 5 mark itself is recorded in use 1837–1845.
Questions about COV-4921
- What is COV-4921?
- COV-4921 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Merut, North Western Provinces of 1839, bearing the Merut HG 5 handstamp in red. India: 1839 (Sept. 19) entire (a few faults, crosswritten affected by staining) to Dunse (Scotland) with “DUBLIN/Ship Letter” at right and reverse with framed “MEERUT” datestamp (Giles type 5; date in manuscript), framed Calcutta G.P.O. Ship letter datestamp, Dublin diamond-shaped datestamp and Edinburgh c.d.s. Contents by an Officer Brown at the Meerut Garrison with reference to the Earl of Dalhousie (later Governor-General of India), ongoing campaign in Afghanistan and the rebellions of some local rajahs that were causing difficulties for the British troops. Photo.
- How scarce is the Merut HG 5 mark on this cover?
- The census grades Merut HG 5 as common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1837–1845.
- What is the provenance of COV-4921?
- Its recorded auction history runs through Grosvenor Philatelic Auctions GPA 174: British Empire & Foreign Countries lot 1072 (2026).
- When was COV-4921 posted?
- COV-4921 is dated 1839, within the recorded period of use of Merut HG 5 (1837–1845).
About this record
This 1839 pre stamp cover of British India bears the Merut HG 5 handstamp of the North Western Provinces, a mark graded “Common” in this census — one of 9 surviving covers with this mark recorded. It has appeared at auction with Grosvenor Philatelic Auctions, GPA 174: British Empire & Foreign Countries, lot 1072, (2026).