What is the Barrackpore HG 3 handstamp?

Barrackpore HG 3 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Barrackpore in the Bengal Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1831 to 1832. The "HG 3" designation is its figure number in the Hammond Giles catalogue of the handstruck postage stamps of India. Known strikes are in black.

How rare is Barrackpore HG 3?

Barrackpore HG 3 has 3 examples recorded in this census. Rarity here is evidence-based: it is derived from the number of surviving covers actually recorded, not estimated. 3 surviving covers bearing this mark are recorded in the census, each with images and provenance.

What does a Barrackpore pre stamp cover with HG 3 look like?

A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Barrackpore is a folded letter or envelope carried before India's first adhesive stamp of 1854, with postage shown entirely by hand-struck marks like HG 3. 3 surviving covers bearing this mark are recorded in the census, each with images and provenance. Each census record on this page links to full cover images, dates and auction provenance.

How do I identify or submit a Barrackpore HG 3 cover?

Compare your cover against the reference impression and recorded examples on this page — check the mark's shape, colour and date range (1831–1832). If your cover is not already recorded, you can submit front and back photographs through the census form on this page; every submission is editor-reviewed before publication.

Barrackpore HG 3 — pre-1854 Indian handstamp, 1831–1832, Black

Bengal Presidency · Pre-1854 Handstamp

Barrackpore HG 3

Intaglio

Colour & date: Black1831–1832
Rarity: 3 examples recorded
Note: Intaglio white on black – 3 examples recorded
Catalogue: 1989 Catalogue · p. 26
Figure: 3
Submitted by: D. Hammond Giles

← HG 2 All Barrackpore HG 4 →

Census

Census records

3 covers recorded

3 pre-1854 covers bearing the Barrackpore HG 3 handstamp are recorded below — each entry links to images, provenance and auction details.

COV-3856

1831

India EXTREMELY RARE 1831 prestamp cover from Barrackpore (Possibly earliest of the 3 recorded mails bearing the INTAGLIO - Giles #3) to England with details of CHINA ship

COV-736

20 August 1831

1831: H.G.3 : A mourning letter dated 26th August 1831 to LONDON [3 Feb. 1832]. BARRACKPORE is situated on the east bank of river Hooghly, 15 miles from CALCUTTA. The name is probably derived from the fact that troops were stationed here since 1772. These were involved in mutinies twice in 1824 and in 1857.A extremely rare and probably the best amongst the ONLY THREE KNOWN copies of this intaglio circulars stamp. The other copies are surprisingly of the same date.

COV-202

13 July 1832

Siegel - India, Barrackpore, 1832, "BARRACKPORE/POST/OFFICE" Negative Intaglio Handstamp (Giles 3). Just clear and complete strike with all letters visible with manuscript "The 13th July 1832" date marking on back of folded cover to Bangalore, red Calcutta (Jul. 14) and Madras (Jul. 26) transit backstamps, signed "C.T. Metcalfe" as this was sent free of charge, cover with slight edgewear FINE STRIKE OF THIS RARE BARRACKPORE NEGATIVE INTAGLIO HANDSTAMP. JUST THREE EXAMPLES ARE RECORDED BY GILES. The sender, Sir Charles Metcalfe (1785-1846), was a British colonial administrator. He held various important positions such as Governor of Agra (1834-1835), Governor General of India (1835-1836), Lieut. Governor of the N.W. Provinces (1836-1838), Governor of Jamaica (1839-1842), and Governor General of Canada (1843-1845). Cavendish - BARRACKPORE - THE VERY RARE INTAGLIO CIRCULAR “POST/OFFICE” TYPE ON FREE MAIL; Attractive 13 July 1832 E (splendid red wax seal) from future Governor General of India, the ‘King of Calcutta’, “C[harles] T. Metcalfe” (1785-1846; signed below the address as a Free frank) to Bangalore with a mainly very fine Intaglio circular “BARRACKPORE/POST/OFFICE/+” (HG3; only two other examples known, one of which is largely off the edge of the cover) on the flap beside Calcutta and Madras datestamps. Rare marking on a rare Indian Free frank. PHOTO - see below.

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About this mark

The Barrackpore HG 3 handstamp

Barrackpore is situated 22°46' N and 88°21' E, on the east bank of the River Hooghly, 15 miles above Calcutta, Bengal. The name is probably derived from the fact that troops have been stationed here since 1772. Twice involved in mutinies, in 1824 and again in 1857.

Barrackpore HG 3 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of the post office at Barrackpore in the Bengal Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1831 to 1832. Known strikes are in black. It is listed in 1989 Catalogue, where each marking of British India is assigned a figure number — hence "HG 3".

3 surviving covers bearing this mark are recorded in the census, each with images and provenance. On the strength of that count the mark is graded "3 examples recorded" — the grade moves automatically as new covers are recorded. Collectors searching for barrackpore pre stamp covers, barrackpore postal history or "Barrackpore HG3" material can compare HG 3 across every office or browse the rest of the Barrackpore marks.

Intaglio white on black – 3 examples recorded

Frequently asked

What is the Barrackpore HG 3 handstamp?: Barrackpore HG 3 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Barrackpore in the Bengal Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1831 to 1832. The "HG 3" designation is its figure number in the Hammond Giles catalogue of the handstruck postage stamps of India. Known strikes are in black.
How rare is Barrackpore HG 3?: Barrackpore HG 3 has 3 examples recorded in this census. Rarity here is evidence-based: it is derived from the number of surviving covers actually recorded, not estimated. 3 surviving covers bearing this mark are recorded in the census, each with images and provenance.
What does a Barrackpore pre stamp cover with HG 3 look like?: A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Barrackpore is a folded letter or envelope carried before India's first adhesive stamp of 1854, with postage shown entirely by hand-struck marks like HG 3. 3 surviving covers bearing this mark are recorded in the census, each with images and provenance. Each census record on this page links to full cover images, dates and auction provenance.
How do I identify or submit a Barrackpore HG 3 cover?: Compare your cover against the reference impression and recorded examples on this page — check the mark's shape, colour and date range (1831–1832). If your cover is not already recorded, you can submit front and back photographs through the census form on this page; every submission is editor-reviewed before publication.

Same office

Other recorded marks at Barrackpore

6 marks

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

View all Barrackpore marks and postal history →

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Also searched as: Barrackpore HG 3, Barrackpore HG3, Barrackpore Giles 3, Barrackpore handstamp, Barrackpore pre stamp cover.

How to cite

“Barrackpore HG 3 — handstamp,” Hand Struck Stamps, https://handstruckstampsindia.com/bengal/barrackpore/hg-3 (accessed 10 August 2026).

Updated: 10 Aug 2026