What is the Dacca HG 10 handstamp?

Dacca HG 10 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Dacca (modern Dhaka) in the Bengal Presidency, British India, recorded in use around 1854. The "HG 10" 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 Dacca HG 10?

Dacca HG 10 is graded "Common" 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 Dacca pre stamp cover with HG 10 look like?

A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Dacca 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 10. 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 Dacca HG 10 cover?

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

Dacca HG 10 — pre-1854 Indian handstamp, 1854, Black

Bengal Presidency · Pre-1854 Handstamp

Dacca HG 10

Handstamp All India common handstamp

Colour & date: Black1854
Rarity: Common
Catalogue: 1996 Supplement · p. 3
Figure: 10
Submitted by: D. Hammond Giles

← HG 9 All Dacca HG 10A →

Census

Census records

1 cover recorded

1 pre-1854 cover bearing the Dacca HG 10 handstamp is recorded below — each entry links to images, provenance and auction details.

COV-401

1854

India, Dacca, 1854, "DACCA/18__/BEARING" Framed Handstamp (Giles Unrecorded). Clear strike with manuscript " (18) 54 28/11" date and rate added on petite folded mourning letter to Calcutta, well-struck Calcutta "G.P.O. 2nd Dy" (Dec. 4, Giles G20) arrival backstamp, Very Fine strike, similar to Giles No. 9 which is the "Paid" version in red with the exception this is "Bearing" and in black

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About this mark

The Dacca HG 10 handstamp

Dacca has been the capital of East Bengal ever since 1608, and is situated 23°43' N and 90°24' E, on the north bank of the Burhi Ganga River, 254 miles from Calcutta.

Dacca HG 10 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of the post office at Dacca — the present-day Dhaka — in the Bengal Presidency, British India, recorded in use around 1854. Known strikes are in black. It is listed in 1996 Supplement, where each marking of British India is assigned a figure number — hence "HG 10".

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 "Common" — the grade moves automatically as new covers are recorded. Collectors searching for dacca pre stamp covers, dacca postal history or "Dacca HG10" material can compare HG 10 across every office or browse the rest of the Dacca marks.

Frequently asked

What is the Dacca HG 10 handstamp?: Dacca HG 10 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Dacca (modern Dhaka) in the Bengal Presidency, British India, recorded in use around 1854. The "HG 10" 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 Dacca HG 10?: Dacca HG 10 is graded "Common" 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 Dacca pre stamp cover with HG 10 look like?: A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Dacca 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 10. 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 Dacca HG 10 cover?: Compare your cover against the reference impression and recorded examples on this page — check the mark's shape, colour and date range (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 Dacca

10 marks

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

View all Dacca 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: Dacca HG 10, Dacca HG10, Dacca Giles 10, Dhaka postal history, Dacca handstamp, Dacca pre stamp cover.

How to cite

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

Updated: 10 Aug 2026