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

The census grades Lahore HG 3 as common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1847–1850.

When was COV-2261 posted?

COV-2261 is dated 1847, within the recorded period of use of Lahore HG 3 (1847–1850).

COV-2261

1847 Lahore Cover

Back to census|Lahore HG 3

Pre-stamp cover of India — 1847, Lahore HG 3 handstruck folded letter (COV-2261) — front

Scan or Photo Courtesy of Cavendish Philatelic Auctions Ltd

Date

1847

Description

GIBRALTAR - "TO/PAY" MARK ON INGOING CONCESSION RATE COVER FROM LAHORE; 1847 EL (minor wear; typed transcript) sent from "Lahore" headed & countersigned for a Private with a partly fine red oval "LAHORE/FREE" ds (closed tear) on the top flap, most exceptionally addressed to a Captain in "Gibraltar, Mediterranean, Europe" and routed via Bombay (v. fine red oval "INDIA") and London (red transit backstamp and v. fine black Handstruck "2" (on the front); on arrival in Gibraltar the P.O. also applied the boxed Gibraltar "TO/PAY" mark on the front. Extremely rare destination for a Concession Rate cover from India! Cross Reference: GIBRALTAR, MILITARY - PENNY CONCESSION RATES, POSTAGE DUE STAMPS & COVERS, FREES

Auction

Cavendish Philatelic Auctions Ltd

Worldwide & Great Britain Stamps & Postal History, Lot 502, (4th Sep 2024)

Same office

Other recorded marks at Lahore

10 marks

10 other pre-1854 postal markings of Lahore are recorded in the census. Compare their figure numbers, dates and colours to identify the mark on your cover.

+4 more at this office.View all Lahore marks and postal history →

About this Lahore pre stamp cover

COV-2261 is a Lahore pre stamp cover of 1847 bearing the Lahore HG 3 handstamp, struck in red, recorded in the census of Lahore postal history, Punjab. What is a pre stamp cover?

Its recorded auction history runs through Cavendish Philatelic Auctions Ltd Worldwide & Great Britain Stamps & Postal History lot 502 (4th Sep 2024).

1 image of COV-2261 is recorded (front); the Lahore HG 3 mark itself is recorded in use 1847–1850.

Questions about COV-2261

What is COV-2261?: COV-2261 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Lahore, Punjab of 1847, bearing the Lahore HG 3 handstamp in red. GIBRALTAR - "TO/PAY" MARK ON INGOING CONCESSION RATE COVER FROM LAHORE; 1847 EL (minor wear; typed transcript) sent from "Lahore" headed & countersigned for a Private with a partly fine red oval "LAHORE/FREE" ds (closed tear) on the top flap, most exceptionally addressed to a Captain in "Gibraltar, Mediterranean, Europe" and routed via Bombay (v. fine red oval "INDIA") and London (red transit backstamp and v. fine black Handstruck "2" (on the front); on arrival in Gibraltar the P.O. also applied the boxed Gibraltar "TO/PAY" mark on the front. Extremely rare destination for a Concession Rate cover from India! Cross Reference: GIBRALTAR, MILITARY - PENNY CONCESSION RATES, POSTAGE DUE STAMPS & COVERS, FREES
How scarce is the Lahore HG 3 mark on this cover?: The census grades Lahore HG 3 as common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1847–1850.
What is the provenance of COV-2261?: Its recorded auction history runs through Cavendish Philatelic Auctions Ltd Worldwide & Great Britain Stamps & Postal History lot 502 (4th Sep 2024).
When was COV-2261 posted?: COV-2261 is dated 1847, within the recorded period of use of Lahore HG 3 (1847–1850).

About this record

This 1847 pre stamp cover of British India bears the Lahore HG 3 handstamp of the Punjab, a mark graded “Common” in this census — the only surviving cover with this mark recorded so far. It has appeared at auction with Cavendish Philatelic Auctions Ltd, Worldwide & Great Britain Stamps & Postal History, lot 502, (4th Sep 2024).