Scan or Photo Courtesy of Siegel Auction Galleries
Description
India, Muttra, 1832, "MUTRA/FREE" Framed Handstamp (Giles 4). Clear and mostly complete strike with manuscript "April 20th" date marking on back of 1832 folded soldier's concessionary rate cover to Newcastle, England, endorsed "From Wm. Surtees, 1st D. 1st Bat Arty" and properly countersigned by commanding officer, partial strike of large "INDIA SOLDIERS LONDON/3" handstamp (Robertson In. Sol. 4), Calcutta G.P.O. and London transit datestamps, transcription of letter accompanies, cover with minor edgewear and slight soiling, still Fine and rare combination of markings, particularly one a soldier's concessionary rate cover
Auction
The Magnolia Collection: India Stampless Postal History, Part 4, Lot 20 April 1832, (03/13/2025)
Provenance
Magnolia
Same office
Other recorded marks at Muttra
10 marks10 other pre-1854 postal markings of Muttra are recorded in the census. Compare their figure numbers, dates and colours to identify the mark on your cover.
- Muttra HG AddhandstampBlack1805–1813
- Muttra HG Add.2handstampBlack1823
- Muttra HG 1handstampBlack1823–1836
- Muttra HG 2handstampBlack1832–1836
- Muttra HG 3handstampBlack1832
- Muttra HG 5handstampBlack1842
- Muttra HG 5ahandstampRed1843–1847
- Muttra HG 6handstampRed1845
- Muttra HG 7handstampRed—
- Muttra HG 8handstampBlack—
About this record
This pre-1854 pre stamp cover of British India bears the Muttra HG 4 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 Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries, The Magnolia Collection: India Stampless Postal History, Part 4, lot 20 April 1832, (03/13/2025).