What is the Calcutta HG 4 handstamp?

Calcutta HG 4 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Calcutta (modern Kolkata) in the Bengal Presidency, British India, recorded in use around 1787. The "HG 4" 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 4?

Calcutta HG 4 is graded "Rare" in this census. Rarity here is evidence-based: it is derived from the number of surviving covers actually recorded, not estimated. A single surviving cover bearing this mark is recorded in the census, with images and provenance.

What does a Calcutta pre stamp cover with HG 4 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 4. A single surviving cover bearing this mark is recorded in the census, 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 4 cover?

Compare your cover against the reference impression and recorded examples on this page — check the mark's shape, colour and date range (1787). 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 4 — pre-1854 Indian handstamp, 1787, Black

Bengal Presidency · Pre-1854 Handstamp

Calcutta HG 4

Handstamp

Colour & date: Black1787
Rarity: Rare
Note: V. scarce – changed yearly
Catalogue: 1989 Catalogue · p. 46
Figure: 4
Submitted by: D. Hammond Giles

← HG 3 All Calcutta HG 5 →

Census

Census records

1 cover recorded

1 pre-1854 cover bearing the Calcutta HG 4 handstamp is recorded below — each entry links to images, provenance and auction details.

COV-78

1787

INDIA, Calcutta, 1787, "GPO.BEAR/Nov 1787" Handstamp (Giles 4). Two clear boxed strikes with manuscript "20" (Nov. 20) date added on top flap of folded cover in transit with manuscript Nov. 6, 1787 despatch docketing and "Left Ingeram 8th November" along top, addressed to Dacca, manuscript "Postpd to Gunjam" and "Bearing Postage 6fs" on bottom flap, some soiling along file folds also affect Calcutta markings, small hole on front panel of little consequence FINE STRIKES OF THE CALCUTTA "GPO.BEAR" HANDSTAMP USED IN TRANSIT ON COVER FROM INGERAM TO DACCA. This marking is noted as very scarce by Giles and was changed yearly to reflect the correct date. This cover was prepaid from Ingeram to Ganjam which served as the transfer point from the Madras Presidency into Bengal. A further 8as was applied from Ganjam to Calcutta and 9as from Calcutta to Dacca.

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About this mark

The Calcutta HG 4 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 4 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of the post office at Calcutta — the present-day Kolkata — in the Bengal Presidency, British India, recorded in use around 1787. Known strikes are in black. It is listed in 1989 Catalogue, where each marking of British India is assigned a figure number — hence "HG 4".

A single surviving cover bearing this mark is recorded in the census, with images and provenance. On the strength of that count the mark is graded "Rare" — the grade moves automatically as new covers are recorded. Collectors searching for calcutta pre stamp covers, calcutta postal history or "Calcutta HG4" material can compare HG 4 across every office or browse the rest of the Calcutta marks.

V. scarce – changed yearly

Frequently asked

What is the Calcutta HG 4 handstamp?: Calcutta HG 4 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Calcutta (modern Kolkata) in the Bengal Presidency, British India, recorded in use around 1787. The "HG 4" 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 4?: Calcutta HG 4 is graded "Rare" in this census. Rarity here is evidence-based: it is derived from the number of surviving covers actually recorded, not estimated. A single surviving cover bearing this mark is recorded in the census, with images and provenance.
What does a Calcutta pre stamp cover with HG 4 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 4. A single surviving cover bearing this mark is recorded in the census, 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 4 cover?: Compare your cover against the reference impression and recorded examples on this page — check the mark's shape, colour and date range (1787). 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 4, Calcutta HG4, Calcutta Giles 4, Kolkata postal history, Calcutta handstamp, Calcutta pre stamp cover.

How to cite

“Calcutta HG 4 — handstamp,” Hand Struck Stamps, https://handstruckstampsindia.com/bengal/calcutta/hg-4 (accessed 10 August 2026).

Updated: 10 Aug 2026