What is the Calcutta HG 36 handstamp?

Calcutta HG 36 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Calcutta (modern Kolkata) in the Bengal Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1849 to 1859. The "HG 36" designation is its figure number in the Hammond Giles catalogue of the handstruck postage stamps of India.

How rare is Calcutta HG 36?

Calcutta HG 36 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 Calcutta pre stamp cover with HG 36 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 36. 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 Calcutta HG 36 cover?

Compare your cover against the reference impression and recorded examples on this page — check the mark's shape, colour and date range (1849–1859). 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.

Bengal Presidency · Pre-1854 Handstamp

Calcutta HG 36

Colour & date: 1849–1859
Rarity: 3 examples recorded
Catalogue: 1989 Catalogue
Figure: 36
Submitted by: D. Hammond Giles

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Census

Census records

3 covers recorded

3 pre-1854 covers bearing the Calcutta HG 36 handstamp are recorded below — each entry links to images, provenance and auction details.

COV-379

4 September 1849

India, Calcutta, 1849, "REMAINING/1849 SEPt 4" Framed Datestamp (Giles Unrecorded). Bold and clear strike on back of bluish folded letter datelined " Danvers, July 3rd, 1849" and sent from the United States, addressed to Calcutta, "Care of Bros. Shipley & Co. Liverpool" (crossed out), sender's directive "Overland Mail via Marseilles" , London (Jul. 18) and Liverpool transit and Calcutta arrival backstamp, manuscript "2/3" rate marking, cover with some overall soiling and wear, though strike is Very Fine, unlisted in Giles with very few (if any other) examples known, this marking was used on mails which couldn't be delivered due to timing and were scheduled for the following day

COV-2776

13 June 1859

INSTRUCTIONAL: ca.1850s, Three covers with instructional hs, incl. one with « MISSENT », one with « FOUND IN / OVERLAND / LETTER BOX » and one with « TOO LATE » and « REMAINING » box ds, mixed condition

COV-3128

26 September 1859

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About this mark

The Calcutta HG 36 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 36 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 1849 to 1859. It is listed in 1989 Catalogue, where each marking of British India is assigned a figure number — hence "HG 36".

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 calcutta pre stamp covers, calcutta postal history or "Calcutta HG36" material can compare HG 36 across every office or browse the rest of the Calcutta marks.

Frequently asked

What is the Calcutta HG 36 handstamp?: Calcutta HG 36 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Calcutta (modern Kolkata) in the Bengal Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1849 to 1859. The "HG 36" designation is its figure number in the Hammond Giles catalogue of the handstruck postage stamps of India.
How rare is Calcutta HG 36?: Calcutta HG 36 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 Calcutta pre stamp cover with HG 36 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 36. 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 Calcutta HG 36 cover?: Compare your cover against the reference impression and recorded examples on this page — check the mark's shape, colour and date range (1849–1859). 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

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Also searched as: Calcutta HG 36, Calcutta HG36, Calcutta Giles 36, Kolkata postal history, Calcutta handstamp, Calcutta pre stamp cover.

How to cite

“Calcutta HG 36 — handstamp,” Hand Struck Stamps, https://handstruckstampsindia.com/bengal/calcutta/hg-36 (accessed 10 August 2026).

Updated: 10 Aug 2026