What is the Patna HG 10 handstamp?

Patna HG 10 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Patna in the Bengal Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1831 to 1835. 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 Patna HG 10?

Patna HG 10 is graded "Scarce" in this census. Rarity here is evidence-based: it is derived from the number of surviving covers actually recorded, not estimated. 5 surviving covers bearing this mark are recorded in the census, each with images and provenance.

What does a Patna pre stamp cover with HG 10 look like?

A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Patna 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. 5 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 Patna 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 (1831–1835). 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.

Patna HG 10 — pre-1854 Indian handstamp, 1831–1835, Black

Bengal Presidency · Pre-1854 Handstamp

Patna HG 10

Handstamp Ex-territorial British

Colour & date: Black1831–1835
Rarity: Scarce
Catalogue: 1989 Catalogue · p. 167
Figure: 10
Submitted by: D. Hammond Giles

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Census

Census records

5 covers recorded

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

COV-1463

1831

1831 PAtnA Post Paid Giles 10 on folded letter to UK by the first ship, with CALCUTTA G.P.O. SHIPLETTER

COV-1360

1833

1833 PAtnA Post PAid HG 10 on fl to UK with CALCUTTA G.P.O. SHIPLETTER HG SD21 and LIVERPOOL INDIA SHIP Ltr, all on same side

COV-2384

14 February 1833

1833 Patna – Peckham Lane (London) entire (piece only), with Patna Giles 10 "PATNA/POST PAID/183." despatch handstamp, rate "10as" (single letter inland postage to Calcutta) & date "14 Feby. 1833" applied in manuscript, transited through Calcutta & there Giles SD9 "CALCUTTA/G.P.O./SHIP LETTER/18 FE 18/1833" mark applied, sent to the UK via Reslingh Castle through the Cape route, entered in the UK & "INDIA LETTER/PORTSMOUTH" transit handstamp applied, & sent to London. "1/" (comprising 8d inland postage + 4d incoming sea postage) applied in manuscript, later at London "B/21 JU 21/1833" GPO receipt applied & sent to Peckham Lane, for that "T.P./Rate 2" inland due mark & "10 NOON 10/JU 21/1833" delivery mark applied.

COV-4010

17 April 1833

COV-2862

6 January 1834

1834 (January 6) Part entire posted at Patna (HG 10), transited Calcutta (HG type G9) to Bombay. Conveyed per Hugh Lindsay on the experimental voyage of 1 February 1834. Due 6/4d packet postage. Inland postage paid in India.

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About this mark

The Patna HG 10 handstamp

Patna, the chief town in Patna District, Bengal, is situated 25°37' N and 85°10' E, on the right bank of the Ganges River, a few miles below its junction with the Son. During the eighteenth century the East India Company established a factory at Patna, and this was involved in the event of the Massacre of Patna in 1763. It later became involved during the 1857 uprising. Patna did not enter British India until 1818.

Patna HG 10 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of the post office at Patna in the Bengal Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1831 to 1835. Known strikes are in black. It is listed in 1989 Catalogue, where each marking of British India is assigned a figure number — hence "HG 10".

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

Frequently asked

What is the Patna HG 10 handstamp?: Patna HG 10 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Patna in the Bengal Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1831 to 1835. 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 Patna HG 10?: Patna HG 10 is graded "Scarce" in this census. Rarity here is evidence-based: it is derived from the number of surviving covers actually recorded, not estimated. 5 surviving covers bearing this mark are recorded in the census, each with images and provenance.
What does a Patna pre stamp cover with HG 10 look like?: A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Patna 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. 5 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 Patna 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 (1831–1835). 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 Patna

18 marks

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

View all Patna 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: Patna HG 10, Patna HG10, Patna Giles 10, Patna handstamp, Patna pre stamp cover.

How to cite

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

Updated: 10 Aug 2026