Sambhar Lake looks right as the origin to me. It was a major salt trading centre in Rajputana (now Rajasthan) and there was a great deal of correspondence through it. I went off in search of an example, but all I could find among my accumulation were examples of mail
to Sambhar Lake, not from it. An example from Victorian times of mail from the area, and almost certainly from the Lake
showing it simply as 'Sambhar'. Later on, the DEL(ivery) CDS was replaced at least once. Here is the Edward VII version:
and the George V version, on a rather busy postcard:
I'm not sure about the lower part of the CDS. It's possible some previous owner has strengthened the outline. It's also possible the implement became worn through heavy use, and caused that wobbly appearance.
'Rajgarh' as the destination also looks right. That's what it says in Nagari, anyway. The Rajgarh in Alwar State is the most likely of the many possibilities, although as Sambhar was such an important centre, it did trade with a wide area of North India. Anyway, can't do an example of the British Indian Rajgarh CDS, but here it is on an Alwar State stamp:
(And no, Rod: I haven't been at, or watching, the footy. I was at a long, restful footy-free lunch.)
Posted 09/23/2011 12:29 pm
