What is the Calcutta HG 22 handstamp?

Calcutta HG 22 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Calcutta (modern Kolkata) in the Bengal Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1837 to 1854. The "HG 22" 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 Calcutta HG 22?

Calcutta HG 22 is graded "Very common" in this census. Rarity here is evidence-based: it is derived from the number of surviving covers actually recorded, not estimated. 12 surviving covers bearing this mark are recorded in the census, each with images and provenance.

What does a Calcutta pre stamp cover with HG 22 look like?

A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Calcutta 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 22. 12 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 Calcutta HG 22 cover?

Compare your cover against the reference impression and recorded examples on this page — check the mark's shape, colour and date range (1837–1854). 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.

Calcutta HG 22 — pre-1854 Indian handstamp, 1837–1854, Black

Bengal Presidency · Pre-1854 Handstamp

Calcutta HG 22

Handstamp All India common handstamp

Colour & date: Black1837–1854
Rarity: Very common
Note: Despatch or receipt
Catalogue: 1989 Catalogue · p. 48
Figure: 22
Submitted by: D. Hammond Giles

← HG 21 All Calcutta HG 23 →

Census

Census records

12 covers recorded

12 pre-1854 covers bearing the Calcutta HG 22 handstamp are recorded below — each entry links to images, provenance and auction details.

COV-1576

1837

1837 SAGOR Bearing Giles 3 on folded letter from Calcutta to Saugor with CALCUTTA Bearing Giles 22

COV-3534

1 January 1839

COV-3125

4 February 1840

1840 pre-stamp entire from Calcutta to Saugore addressed to Major Genl. Sir Aubury with black backstamp handstruck cancelled ``CALCUTTA/1840 FEBRUARY 4/BEARING 10`` Giles type-22, some tear marks

COV-3698

23 July 1840

United Kingdom 1840 entire letter from Jersey to Calcutta, prepaid via London with forwarding agent's mark. Features red wax seal, postal markings, and Bombay bearing.

29 September 1843

28 February 1845

3 November 1845

8 June 1848

1851

1851 CALCUTTA Bearing Giles 22 on incoming folded letter from London to Akyab, Burma via Marseilles

COV-1197

1852

1852 CALCUTTA STEAMLETTER 1852 JUN 11 PAID extremely rare HG 22 in red on entire from Calcutta to London, one of 7 covers recorded

COV-1419

1854

1854 GB 1/- green on cover to India with rare array of handstamps. Calcutta 22, Allahabad 4a, Simlah 8 and Calcutta G14

COV-3800

India 1820's Calcutta to Hazareebagh, pre-stamp folded letter to Lieut. C.T. Cummaney, Bengal Soar, showing fine boxed “CALCUTTA / Bearing” ds with manuscript “6as” charge; red wax seal intact, very fine.

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About this mark

The Calcutta HG 22 handstamp

Kolkata, also known as Calcutta, is the capital and largest city of the Indian state of West Bengal, on the eastern bank of the Hooghly River.

Calcutta HG 22 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of the post office at Calcutta — the present-day Kolkata — in the Bengal Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1837 to 1854. Known strikes are in black. It is listed in 1989 Catalogue, where each marking of British India is assigned a figure number — hence "HG 22".

12 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 "Very common" — the grade moves automatically as new covers are recorded. Collectors searching for calcutta pre stamp covers, calcutta postal history or "Calcutta HG22" material can compare HG 22 across every office or browse the rest of the Calcutta marks.

Despatch or receipt

Frequently asked

What is the Calcutta HG 22 handstamp?: Calcutta HG 22 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Calcutta (modern Kolkata) in the Bengal Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1837 to 1854. The "HG 22" 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 Calcutta HG 22?: Calcutta HG 22 is graded "Very common" in this census. Rarity here is evidence-based: it is derived from the number of surviving covers actually recorded, not estimated. 12 surviving covers bearing this mark are recorded in the census, each with images and provenance.
What does a Calcutta pre stamp cover with HG 22 look like?: A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Calcutta 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 22. 12 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 Calcutta HG 22 cover?: Compare your cover against the reference impression and recorded examples on this page — check the mark's shape, colour and date range (1837–1854). 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 Calcutta

182 marks

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

View all Calcutta marks and postal history →

Suggest a correction

Spotted a wrong date, colour or rarity? Propose a change — every suggestion is reviewed before it is applied.

Also searched as: Calcutta HG 22, Calcutta HG22, Calcutta Giles 22, Kolkata postal history, Calcutta handstamp, Calcutta pre stamp cover.

How to cite

“Calcutta HG 22 — handstamp,” Hand Struck Stamps, https://handstruckstampsindia.com/bengal/calcutta/hg-22 (accessed 10 August 2026).

Updated: 10 Aug 2026