COV-4696 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Umbalah, Punjab of 8 April 1850, bearing the Umbalah HG 10 handstamp in black. 1880 Native Cover hs. in rectangular box in black "UMBALLA/08/4/12/1 as./Bearing", Almost Fine condition.

How scarce is the Umbalah HG 10 mark on this cover?

The census grades Umbalah HG 10 as common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1850–1851.

When was COV-4696 posted?

COV-4696 is dated 8 April 1850, within the recorded period of use of Umbalah HG 10 (1850–1851).

COV-4696

8 April 1850 Umbalah Cover

Back to census|Umbalah HG 10

Pre-stamp cover of India — 8 April 1850, Umbalah HG 10 handstruck folded letter (COV-4696) — front

Scan or Photo Courtesy of Philaindia

Date

8 April 1850

Description

1880 Native Cover hs. in rectangular box in black "UMBALLA/08/4/12/1 as./Bearing", Almost Fine condition.

Auction

Philaindia

Auction 6 Philindia Stamp Auction, Lot 7, (May 30, 2026)

Same office

Other recorded marks at Umbalah

13 marks

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

+7 more at this office.View all Umbalah marks and postal history →

About this Umbalah pre stamp cover

COV-4696 is an Umbalah pre stamp cover of 8 April 1850 bearing the Umbalah HG 10 handstamp, struck in black, recorded in the census of Umbalah postal history — the office known today as Ambala, Punjab. What is a pre stamp cover?

1880 Native Cover hs. in rectangular box in black "UMBALLA/08/4/12/1 as./Bearing", Almost Fine condition.

Its recorded auction history runs through Philaindia Auction 6 Philindia Stamp Auction lot 7 (May 30, 2026).

1 image of COV-4696 is recorded (front); the Umbalah HG 10 mark itself is recorded in use 1850–1851.

Questions about COV-4696

What is COV-4696?: COV-4696 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Umbalah, Punjab of 8 April 1850, bearing the Umbalah HG 10 handstamp in black. 1880 Native Cover hs. in rectangular box in black "UMBALLA/08/4/12/1 as./Bearing", Almost Fine condition.
How scarce is the Umbalah HG 10 mark on this cover?: The census grades Umbalah HG 10 as common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1850–1851.
What is the provenance of COV-4696?: Its recorded auction history runs through Philaindia Auction 6 Philindia Stamp Auction lot 7 (May 30, 2026).
When was COV-4696 posted?: COV-4696 is dated 8 April 1850, within the recorded period of use of Umbalah HG 10 (1850–1851).

About this record

This 8 April 1850 pre stamp cover of British India bears the Umbalah HG 10 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 Philaindia, Auction 6 Philindia Stamp Auction, lot 7, (May 30, 2026).