COV-4655 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Simla, Punjab of 23 March 1849, bearing the Simla HG 6 handstamp in red. India 1849 (Mar 23) SIMLAH PAID in red Giles 6 on fl to London via Marseilles (Giles records usage in 1850 only)

How scarce is the Simla HG 6 mark on this cover?

The census grades Simla HG 6 as common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1845–1852.

When was COV-4655 posted?

COV-4655 is dated 23 March 1849, within the recorded period of use of Simla HG 6 (1845–1852).

COV-4655

23 March 1849 Simla Cover

Back to census|Simla HG 6 · 8 covers recorded

← COV-4007 COV-4897 →

Pre-stamp cover of India — 23 March 1849, Simla HG 6 handstruck folded letter (COV-4655) — front

Pre-stamp cover of India — Simla HG 6, back (COV-4655) — back

Scan or Photo Courtesy of StampBay Auctions

Date

23 March 1849

Description

India 1849 (Mar 23) SIMLAH PAID in red Giles 6 on fl to London via Marseilles (Giles records usage in 1850 only)

Auction

StampBay

Auction 16, Lot 18, (Apr 26, 2025)

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-4655 is a Simla pre stamp cover of 23 March 1849 bearing the Simla HG 6 handstamp, struck in red, recorded in the census of Simla postal history — the office known today as Shimla, Punjab. What is a pre stamp cover?

India 1849 (Mar 23) SIMLAH PAID in red Giles 6 on fl to London via Marseilles (Giles records usage in 1850 only)

Its recorded auction history runs through StampBay Auction 16 lot 18 (Apr 26, 2025).

2 images of COV-4655 are recorded (front, back); the Simla HG 6 mark itself is recorded in use 1845–1852.

Questions about COV-4655

What is COV-4655?: COV-4655 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Simla, Punjab of 23 March 1849, bearing the Simla HG 6 handstamp in red. India 1849 (Mar 23) SIMLAH PAID in red Giles 6 on fl to London via Marseilles (Giles records usage in 1850 only)
How scarce is the Simla HG 6 mark on this cover?: The census grades Simla HG 6 as common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1845–1852.
What is the provenance of COV-4655?: Its recorded auction history runs through StampBay Auction 16 lot 18 (Apr 26, 2025).
When was COV-4655 posted?: COV-4655 is dated 23 March 1849, within the recorded period of use of Simla HG 6 (1845–1852).

About this record

This 23 March 1849 pre stamp cover of British India bears the Simla HG 6 handstamp of the Punjab, a mark graded “Common” in this census — one of 8 surviving covers with this mark recorded. It has appeared at auction with StampBay, Auction 16, lot 18, (Apr 26, 2025).