How scarce is the Karatchee HG 4 mark on this cover?

The census grades Karatchee HG 4 as common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1846–1848.

When was COV-5748 posted?

COV-5748 is dated 1849, within the recorded period of use of Karatchee HG 4 (1846–1848).

COV-5748

1849 Karatchee Cover

Back to census|Karatchee HG 4 · 3 covers recorded

← COV-1551

Pre-stamp cover of India — 1849, Karatchee HG 4 handstruck folded letter (COV-5748) — front

Pre-stamp cover of India — Karatchee HG 4, scan 2 (COV-5748)

Scan or Photo Courtesy of Argyll Etkin Auctions

Date

1849

Description

1849 (June 27) Stampless cover with an enclosed four page letter from William Napier in Simla, addressed to "Captain Keith Young, Civil Judge Advocate Genl, Kurrachee, Scinde", the address panel signed by William Napier‚Äôs father Sir Charles Napier, Commander-in-Chief in India, the reverse with manuscript "Govr Genl Camp" and red oval "KURRACHEE / FREE". A fine and scarce free letter posted at the Governor-Generals Camp.

Auction

Argyll Etkin

Lot 1371, (2026)

Same office

Other recorded marks at Karatchee

10 marks

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

+4 more at this office.View all Karatchee marks and postal history →

About this Karatchee pre stamp cover

COV-5748 is a Karatchee pre stamp cover of 1849 bearing the Karatchee HG 4 handstamp, struck in red, recorded in the census of Karatchee postal history — the office known today as Karachi, Sindh. What is a pre stamp cover?

Its recorded auction history runs through Argyll Etkin Limited lot 1371 (2026).

2 images of COV-5748 are recorded (front); the Karatchee HG 4 mark itself is recorded in use 1846–1848.

Questions about COV-5748

What is COV-5748?: COV-5748 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Karatchee, Sindh of 1849, bearing the Karatchee HG 4 handstamp in red. 1849 (June 27) Stampless cover with an enclosed four page letter from William Napier in Simla, addressed to "Captain Keith Young, Civil Judge Advocate Genl, Kurrachee, Scinde", the address panel signed by William Napier‚Äôs father Sir Charles Napier, Commander-in-Chief in India, the reverse with manuscript "Govr Genl Camp" and red oval "KURRACHEE / FREE". A fine and scarce free letter posted at the Governor-Generals Camp.
How scarce is the Karatchee HG 4 mark on this cover?: The census grades Karatchee HG 4 as common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1846–1848.
What is the provenance of COV-5748?: Its recorded auction history runs through Argyll Etkin Limited lot 1371 (2026).
When was COV-5748 posted?: COV-5748 is dated 1849, within the recorded period of use of Karatchee HG 4 (1846–1848).

About this record

This 1849 pre stamp cover of British India bears the Karatchee HG 4 handstamp of the Sindh, a mark graded “Common” in this census — one of 3 surviving covers with this mark recorded. It has appeared at auction with Argyll Etkin, lot 1371, (2026).