Bengal Presidency · Pre-1854 Handstamp
Houghly HG 4
- Colour & date
- Black1843
- Rarity
- Scarce
- Figure
- 4
- Submitted by
- Gowtham BJ
Census
Census records
1 cover recorded1 pre-1854 cover bearing the Houghly HG 4 handstamp is recorded below — each entry links to images, provenance and auction details.
About this mark
The Houghly HG 4 handstamp
Houghly Town is the headquarters of Houghly District, Bengal, on the right bank of the Hooghly River, situated 22°55' N and 88°24' E. It was founded by the Portuguese in 1537, and the English factory there dates from 1651.
Houghly HG 4 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of the post office at Houghly in the Bengal Presidency, British India, recorded in use around 1843. Known strikes are in black. Its "HG 4" designation is the figure number assigned in the Hammond Giles catalogue of the handstruck postage stamps of India.
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 "Scarce" — the grade moves automatically as new covers are recorded. Collectors searching for houghly pre stamp covers, houghly postal history or "Houghly HG4" material can compare HG 4 across every office or browse the rest of the Houghly marks.
Frequently asked
- What is the Houghly HG 4 handstamp?
- Houghly HG 4 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Houghly in the Bengal Presidency, British India, recorded in use around 1843. 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 Houghly HG 4?
- Houghly HG 4 is graded "Scarce" 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 Houghly pre stamp cover with HG 4 look like?
- A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Houghly 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 Houghly 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 (1843). 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 Houghly
3 marks3 other pre-1854 postal markings of Houghly are recorded in the census. Compare their figure numbers, dates and colours to identify the mark on your cover.
Suggest a correction
Spotted a wrong date, colour or rarity? Propose a change — every suggestion is reviewed before it is applied.
Also searched as: Houghly HG 4, Houghly HG4, Houghly Giles 4, Houghly handstamp, Houghly pre stamp cover.
How to cite
“Houghly HG 4 — handstamp,” Hand Struck Stamps, https://handstruckstampsindia.com/bengal/houghly/hg-4 (accessed 28 July 2026).
Updated: 28 Jul 2026