What is the Patna HG 10a handstamp?

Patna HG 10a is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Patna in the Bengal Presidency, British India, recorded in use around 1832. 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 Patna HG 10a?

Patna HG 10a is graded "Very 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 Patna pre stamp cover with HG 10a 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 10a. 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 Patna 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 (1832). 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

Patna HG 10a

Handstamp Ex-territorial British

Colour & date: Red1832
Rarity: Very scarce
Catalogue: 1993 Supplement · p. 24
Figure: 10a
Submitted by: D. Hammond Giles

← HG 10 All Patna HG 11 →

Census

Census records

1 cover recorded

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

COV-2928

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About this mark

The Patna HG 10a 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 10a is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of the post office at Patna in the Bengal Presidency, British India, recorded in use around 1832. Known strikes are in red. It is listed in 1993 Supplement, where each marking of British India is assigned a figure number — hence "HG 10a".

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 "Very scarce" — the grade moves automatically as new covers are recorded. Collectors searching for patna pre stamp covers, patna postal history or "Patna HG10a" material can compare HG 10a across every office or browse the rest of the Patna marks.

Frequently asked

What is the Patna HG 10a handstamp?: Patna HG 10a is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Patna in the Bengal Presidency, British India, recorded in use around 1832. 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 Patna HG 10a?: Patna HG 10a is graded "Very 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 Patna pre stamp cover with HG 10a 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 10a. 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 Patna 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 (1832). 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 10a, Patna HG10a, Patna Giles 10a, Patna handstamp, Patna pre stamp cover.

How to cite

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

Updated: 10 Aug 2026