How scarce is the Simla HG 8 mark on this cover?

The census grades Simla HG 8 as common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1852.

When was COV-5637 posted?

COV-5637 is dated 1 July 1852, within the recorded period of use of Simla HG 8 (1852).

COV-5637

1 July 1852 Simla Cover

Back to census|Simla HG 8 · 13 covers recorded

← COV-3680

Pre-stamp cover of India — 1 July 1852, Simla HG 8 handstruck folded letter (COV-5637)

Pre-stamp cover of India — Simla HG 8, scan 2 (COV-5637)

Scan or Photo Courtesy of Siegel Auction Galleries

Date

1 July 1852

Description

India, Gujranwala, 1852, "GUJRANWALA/JUL. 1 1852/Bearing" Framed Datestamp (Giles 1). Bold strike with manuscript "2 1/2 as" rate added on back of blue folded letter to Simla, "LAHOR/P.O." oval handstamp (Giles 7) in transit, Simla (Jul. 4, Giles 8) arrival backstamp, Very Fine markings and scarce, this Gujranwala marking is only recorded between May-Nov. 1852 by Giles, the Lahore marking is a military handover marking to civilian mail

Auction

Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries

Worldwide Stamps and Postal History (Sale 1392, 10 November 2026), Lot 348, (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-5637 is a Simla pre stamp cover of 1 July 1852 bearing the Simla HG 8 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?

Its recorded auction history runs through Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries Worldwide Stamps and Postal History (Sale 1392, 10 November 2026) lot 348 (2026).

2 images of COV-5637 are recorded; the Simla HG 8 mark itself is recorded in use 1852.

Questions about COV-5637

What is COV-5637?: COV-5637 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Simla, Punjab of 1 July 1852, bearing the Simla HG 8 handstamp in red. India, Gujranwala, 1852, "GUJRANWALA/JUL. 1 1852/Bearing" Framed Datestamp (Giles 1). Bold strike with manuscript "2 1/2 as" rate added on back of blue folded letter to Simla, "LAHOR/P.O." oval handstamp (Giles 7) in transit, Simla (Jul. 4, Giles 8) arrival backstamp, Very Fine markings and scarce, this Gujranwala marking is only recorded between May-Nov. 1852 by Giles, the Lahore marking is a military handover marking to civilian mail
How scarce is the Simla HG 8 mark on this cover?: The census grades Simla HG 8 as common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1852.
What is the provenance of COV-5637?: Its recorded auction history runs through Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries Worldwide Stamps and Postal History (Sale 1392, 10 November 2026) lot 348 (2026).
When was COV-5637 posted?: COV-5637 is dated 1 July 1852, within the recorded period of use of Simla HG 8 (1852).

About this record

This 1 July 1852 pre stamp cover of British India bears the Simla HG 8 handstamp of the Punjab, a mark graded “Common” in this census — one of 13 surviving covers with this mark recorded. It has appeared at auction with Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries, Worldwide Stamps and Postal History (Sale 1392, 10 November 2026), lot 348, (2026).