How scarce is the Umbalah HG 12 mark on this cover?

The census grades Umbalah HG 12 as common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1853-54.

When was COV-3638 posted?

COV-3638 is dated 1854, within the recorded period of use of Umbalah HG 12 (1853-54).

COV-3638

1854 Umbalah Cover

Back to census|Umbalah HG 12 · 2 covers recorded

← COV-3591

Pre-stamp cover of India — 1854, Umbalah HG 12 handstruck folded letter (COV-3638)

Pre-stamp cover of India — Umbalah HG 12, scan 2 (COV-3638)

Pre-stamp cover of India — Umbalah HG 12, scan 3 (COV-3638)

Scan or Photo Courtesy of Sephils

Date

1854

Description

India 1854 postal history cover with handstruck postage from Umballa to Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, England. Features red oval 'INDIA' stamp, Bombay ship letter despatch, and green arrival postmark.

Auction

Sephils

577, Lot 0087, (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-3638 is an Umbalah pre stamp cover of 1854 bearing the Umbalah HG 12 handstamp, struck in red, recorded in the census of Umbalah postal history — the office known today as Ambala, Punjab. What is a pre stamp cover?

India 1854 postal history cover with handstruck postage from Umballa to Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, England. Features red oval 'INDIA' stamp, Bombay ship letter despatch, and green arrival postmark.

Its recorded auction history runs through Sephils 577 lot 0087 (2026).

3 images of COV-3638 are recorded; the Umbalah HG 12 mark itself is recorded in use 1853-54.

Questions about COV-3638

What is COV-3638?: COV-3638 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Umbalah, Punjab of 1854, bearing the Umbalah HG 12 handstamp in red. India 1854 postal history cover with handstruck postage from Umballa to Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, England. Features red oval 'INDIA' stamp, Bombay ship letter despatch, and green arrival postmark.
How scarce is the Umbalah HG 12 mark on this cover?: The census grades Umbalah HG 12 as common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1853-54.
What is the provenance of COV-3638?: Its recorded auction history runs through Sephils 577 lot 0087 (2026).
When was COV-3638 posted?: COV-3638 is dated 1854, within the recorded period of use of Umbalah HG 12 (1853-54).

About this record

This 1854 pre stamp cover of British India bears the Umbalah HG 12 handstamp of the Punjab, a mark graded “Common” in this census — one of 2 surviving covers with this mark recorded. It has appeared at auction with Sephils, 577, lot 0087, (2026).