Scan or Photo Courtesy of Grosvenor Auctions
Date
1843
Description
India: 1843 (July 27) entire (slightly reduced and repaired in two places) to London, address panel headed “From Private James Hinkey 1(st) Bengal E(uropean) Lght. Infantry” and countersigned by commanding officer below and manuscript charged “2”(d) for the unpaid concession rate with oval “INDIA” (Giles type SD6, Die I) in red at lower right. Reverse with scarce oval “SOBATOO/FREE” (Giles type 2) datestamp with manuscript date, framed “G.P.O” (Bombay) datestamp and London arrival c.d.s. and framed “PM” mark on reverse. Important insight into military life “Our route consisted of 12 to 16 miles a day, in general starting at 2 o’clock in the morning, striking the tents and loading the camels and elephants, which were so tame that the would come around for a bit of routie (roti)”. Photo.
Auction
GPA 174: British Empire & Foreign Countries, Lot 1075, (2026)
Same office
Other recorded marks at Sobathoo
6 marks6 other pre-1854 postal markings of Sobathoo are recorded in the census. Compare their figure numbers, dates and colours to identify the mark on your cover.
About this Sobathoo pre stamp cover
COV-4922 is a Sobathoo pre stamp cover of 1843 bearing the Sobathoo HG 2 handstamp, struck in red, recorded in the census of Sobathoo postal history — the office known today as Subathu, Punjab. What is a pre stamp cover?
India: 1843 (July 27) entire (slightly reduced and repaired in two places) to London, address panel headed “From Private James Hinkey 1(st) Bengal E(uropean) Lght. Infantry” and countersigned by commanding officer below and manuscript charged “2”(d) for the unpaid concession rate with oval “INDIA” (Giles type SD6, Die I) in red at lower right. Reverse with scarce oval “SOBATOO/FREE” (Giles type 2) datestamp with manuscript date, framed “G.P.O” (Bombay) datestamp and London arrival c.d.s. and framed “PM” mark on reverse. Important insight into military life “Our route consisted of 12 to 16 miles a day, in general starting at 2 o’clock in the morning, striking the tents and loading the camels and elephants, which were so tame that the would come around for a bit of routie (roti)”. Photo.
Its recorded auction history runs through Grosvenor Philatelic Auctions GPA 174: British Empire & Foreign Countries lot 1075 (2026).
1 image of COV-4922 is recorded; the Sobathoo HG 2 mark itself is recorded in use 1843–1847.
Questions about COV-4922
- What is COV-4922?
- COV-4922 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Sobathoo, Punjab of 1843, bearing the Sobathoo HG 2 handstamp in red. India: 1843 (July 27) entire (slightly reduced and repaired in two places) to London, address panel headed “From Private James Hinkey 1(st) Bengal E(uropean) Lght. Infantry” and countersigned by commanding officer below and manuscript charged “2”(d) for the unpaid concession rate with oval “INDIA” (Giles type SD6, Die I) in red at lower right. Reverse with scarce oval “SOBATOO/FREE” (Giles type 2) datestamp with manuscript date, framed “G.P.O” (Bombay) datestamp and London arrival c.d.s. and framed “PM” mark on reverse. Important insight into military life “Our route consisted of 12 to 16 miles a day, in general starting at 2 o’clock in the morning, striking the tents and loading the camels and elephants, which were so tame that the would come around for a bit of routie (roti)”. Photo.
- How scarce is the Sobathoo HG 2 mark on this cover?
- The census grades Sobathoo HG 2 as common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1843–1847.
- What is the provenance of COV-4922?
- Its recorded auction history runs through Grosvenor Philatelic Auctions GPA 174: British Empire & Foreign Countries lot 1075 (2026).
- When was COV-4922 posted?
- COV-4922 is dated 1843, within the recorded period of use of Sobathoo HG 2 (1843–1847).
About this record
This 1843 pre stamp cover of British India bears the Sobathoo HG 2 handstamp of the Punjab, a mark graded “Common” in this census — one of 4 surviving covers with this mark recorded. It has appeared at auction with Grosvenor Philatelic Auctions, GPA 174: British Empire & Foreign Countries, lot 1075, (2026).