What is the DumDum HG 5 handstamp?

DumDum HG 5 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of DumDum in the Bengal Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1838 to 1845. The "HG 5" 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 DumDum HG 5?

DumDum HG 5 is graded "Common" in this census. Rarity here is evidence-based: it is derived from the number of surviving covers actually recorded, not estimated. 6 surviving covers bearing this mark are recorded in the census, each with images and provenance.

What does a DumDum pre stamp cover with HG 5 look like?

A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from DumDum 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 5. 6 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 DumDum HG 5 cover?

Compare your cover against the reference impression and recorded examples on this page — check the mark's shape, colour and date range (1838–1845). 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.

DumDum HG 5 — pre-1854 Indian handstamp, 1838–1845, Black

Bengal Presidency · Pre-1854 Handstamp

DumDum HG 5

Handstamp All India common handstamp

Colour & date: Black1838–1845
Rarity: Common
Catalogue: 1989 Catalogue · p. 86
Figure: 5
Submitted by: D. Hammond Giles

← HG 4 All DumDum HG 6 →

Census

Census records

6 covers recorded

6 pre-1854 covers bearing the DumDum HG 5 handstamp are recorded below — each entry links to images, provenance and auction details.

2 May 1838

28 July 1843

25 September 1843

1845

India, Dum Dum, 1845, "DUM DUM/Bearing" Framed Handstamp (Giles 5). Clear strike with manuscript "19 Novbr 1845" date and "0-8-0" rate added on back of folded letter from Edward Fraser to his brother James Fraser in Chicacole, faint strike of "CHICACOLE/Bearing" framed arrival backstamp (Giles unrecorded), Very Fine, scarce with the Chicacole backstamp

COV-2142

1845

COV-1064

6 December 1845

Durn Durn: 1845 (6 Dec.) entire letter written from French Rocks to an Officer with the Bengal Artillery at Dum Dum, showing a fine strike of the rare boxed "o.o.p.o." h.s. of the military handover point to the civil P.O. (HG3) also boxed "DUMDUM/date/Bearing" (HG5) and "MADRAS/SHIP LETIER/Bearing" d.s. (HG SR3). An exceptional item of Indian prephilately

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About this mark

The DumDum HG 5 handstamp

Dum Dum, a town in the Barrackpore division of the District of Twenty-four Parganas, Bengal, situated 22°38' N and 88°25' E. It was the Headquarters of the Bengal Artillery from 1783 to 1853, and is the site of the Government ammunition factory .

DumDum HG 5 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of the post office at DumDum in the Bengal Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1838 to 1845. Known strikes are in black. It is listed in 1989 Catalogue, where each marking of British India is assigned a figure number — hence "HG 5".

6 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 "Common" — the grade moves automatically as new covers are recorded. Collectors searching for dumdum pre stamp covers, dumdum postal history or "DumDum HG5" material can compare HG 5 across every office or browse the rest of the DumDum marks.

Frequently asked

What is the DumDum HG 5 handstamp?: DumDum HG 5 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of DumDum in the Bengal Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1838 to 1845. The "HG 5" 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 DumDum HG 5?: DumDum HG 5 is graded "Common" in this census. Rarity here is evidence-based: it is derived from the number of surviving covers actually recorded, not estimated. 6 surviving covers bearing this mark are recorded in the census, each with images and provenance.
What does a DumDum pre stamp cover with HG 5 look like?: A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from DumDum 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 5. 6 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 DumDum HG 5 cover?: Compare your cover against the reference impression and recorded examples on this page — check the mark's shape, colour and date range (1838–1845). 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 DumDum

7 marks

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

View all DumDum 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: DumDum HG 5, DumDum HG5, DumDum Giles 5, DumDum handstamp, DumDum pre stamp cover.

How to cite

“DumDum HG 5 — handstamp,” Hand Struck Stamps, https://handstruckstampsindia.com/bengal/dumdum/hg-5 (accessed 10 August 2026).

Updated: 10 Aug 2026