What is the Dacca HG 10A handstamp?

Dacca HG 10A is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Dacca (modern Dhaka) in the Bengal Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1852 to 1854. The "HG 10A" designation is its figure number in the Hammond Giles catalogue of the handstruck postage stamps of India. Known strikes are in red.

How rare is Dacca HG 10A?

Dacca HG 10A is graded "Rare" in this census. Rarity here is evidence-based: it is derived from the number of surviving covers actually recorded, not estimated. 4 surviving covers bearing this mark are recorded in the census, each with images and provenance.

What does a Dacca pre stamp cover with HG 10A 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 10A. 4 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 Dacca HG 10A cover?

Compare your cover against the reference impression and recorded examples on this page — check the mark's shape, colour and date range (1852–1854). 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.

Bengal Presidency · Pre-1854 Handstamp

Dacca HG 10A

Handstamp

Colour & date: Red1852–1854
Rarity: Rare
Figure: 10A
Submitted by: Gowtham BJ

← HG 10 All Dacca

Census

Census records

4 covers recorded

4 pre-1854 covers bearing the Dacca HG 10A handstamp are recorded below — each entry links to images, provenance and auction details.

COV-953

4 Feb 1852

COV-954

21 October 1852

Entire posted from Dacca to London on September 4th 1852 with unrecorded Dacca paid handstamp in reddish black color along with "CALCUTTA/G.P.O/7SEP7/1852" in red color with 2 annas postage paid along with rectangular India paid handstamp in red color. The mail was carried via South Ampton and reached London on 21st October 1852 with only 47 transit days. Very rare unrecorded Dacca handstamp by Giles in any editions

COV-3571

19 February 1853

1853 (19 Feb) entire letter sent from Dacca to Sudder Dewany Adawlut at Fort William, Calcutta with DACCA/PAID 2as (Giles #9) in red (faint strike but content state the Dacca origins) along with boxed...

COV-1339

11 April 1854

1854 DACCA PAID on fl to Calcutta from Major J Graham, 3rd European Regt. Unrecorded by Giles. Contents request for a dog cart

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About this mark

The Dacca HG 10A 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 10A is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of the post office at Dacca — the present-day Dhaka — in the Bengal Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1852 to 1854. Known strikes are in red. Its "HG 10A" designation is the figure number assigned in the Hammond Giles catalogue of the handstruck postage stamps of India.

4 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 "Rare" — the grade moves automatically as new covers are recorded. Collectors searching for dacca pre stamp covers, dacca postal history or "Dacca HG10A" material can compare HG 10A across every office or browse the rest of the Dacca marks.

Frequently asked

What is the Dacca HG 10A handstamp?: Dacca HG 10A is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Dacca (modern Dhaka) in the Bengal Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1852 to 1854. The "HG 10A" designation is its figure number in the Hammond Giles catalogue of the handstruck postage stamps of India. Known strikes are in red.
How rare is Dacca HG 10A?: Dacca HG 10A is graded "Rare" in this census. Rarity here is evidence-based: it is derived from the number of surviving covers actually recorded, not estimated. 4 surviving covers bearing this mark are recorded in the census, each with images and provenance.
What does a Dacca pre stamp cover with HG 10A 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 10A. 4 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 Dacca HG 10A cover?: Compare your cover against the reference impression and recorded examples on this page — check the mark's shape, colour and date range (1852–1854). 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 10A, Dacca HG10A, Dacca Giles 10A, Dhaka postal history, Dacca handstamp, Dacca pre stamp cover.

How to cite

“Dacca HG 10A — handstamp,” Hand Struck Stamps, https://handstruckstampsindia.com/bengal/dacca/hg-10a (accessed 13 August 2026).

Updated: 13 Aug 2026