How scarce is the Simla HG 4 mark on this cover?

The census grades Simla HG 4 as common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1849–1852.

When was COV-3639 posted?

COV-3639 is dated 12 April 1852, within the recorded period of use of Simla HG 4 (1849–1852).

COV-3639

12 April 1852 Simla Cover

Back to census|Simla HG 4 · 9 covers recorded

← COV-2918 COV-3677 →

Pre-stamp cover of India — 12 April 1852, Simla HG 4 handstruck folded letter (COV-3639)

Pre-stamp cover of India — Simla HG 4, scan 2 (COV-3639)

Pre-stamp cover of India — Simla HG 4, scan 3 (COV-3639)

Pre-stamp cover of India — Simla HG 4, scan 4 (COV-3639)

Scan or Photo Courtesy of Sephils

Date

12 April 1852

Description

India 1852 entire folded letter from Simla to Goojanwala with handstruck postage. Features 'SIMLAH' cachet dated April 12, bearing 2½ annas. Historical postal item with Giles Type 4 stamp.

Auction

Sephils

577, Lot 0088, (2026)

Same office

Other recorded marks at Simla

9 marks

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

+3 more at this office.View all Simla marks and postal history →

About this Simla pre stamp cover

COV-3639 is a Simla pre stamp cover of 12 April 1852 bearing the Simla HG 4 handstamp, struck in black, recorded in the census of Simla postal history — the office known today as Shimla, Punjab. What is a pre stamp cover?

India 1852 entire folded letter from Simla to Goojanwala with handstruck postage. Features 'SIMLAH' cachet dated April 12, bearing 2½ annas. Historical postal item with Giles Type 4 stamp.

Its recorded auction history runs through Sephils 577 lot 0088 (2026).

4 images of COV-3639 are recorded; the Simla HG 4 mark itself is recorded in use 1849–1852.

Questions about COV-3639

What is COV-3639?: COV-3639 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Simla, Punjab of 12 April 1852, bearing the Simla HG 4 handstamp in black. India 1852 entire folded letter from Simla to Goojanwala with handstruck postage. Features 'SIMLAH' cachet dated April 12, bearing 2½ annas. Historical postal item with Giles Type 4 stamp.
How scarce is the Simla HG 4 mark on this cover?: The census grades Simla HG 4 as common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1849–1852.
What is the provenance of COV-3639?: Its recorded auction history runs through Sephils 577 lot 0088 (2026).
When was COV-3639 posted?: COV-3639 is dated 12 April 1852, within the recorded period of use of Simla HG 4 (1849–1852).

About this record

This 12 April 1852 pre stamp cover of British India bears the Simla HG 4 handstamp of the Punjab, a mark graded “Common” in this census — one of 9 surviving covers with this mark recorded. It has appeared at auction with Sephils, 577, lot 0088, (2026).