What is the Patna HG 11 handstamp?

Patna HG 11 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Patna in the Bengal Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1834 to 1837. The "HG 11" 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 11?

Patna HG 11 is graded "Common" in this census. Rarity here is evidence-based: it is derived from the number of surviving covers actually recorded, not estimated. 2 surviving covers bearing this mark are recorded in the census, each with images and provenance.

What does a Patna pre stamp cover with HG 11 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 11. 2 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 11 cover?

Compare your cover against the reference impression and recorded examples on this page — check the mark's shape, colour and date range (1834–1837). 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 11 — pre-1854 Indian handstamp, 1834–1837, Black

Bengal Presidency · Pre-1854 Handstamp

Patna HG 11

Handstamp Ex-territorial British

Colour & date: Black1834–1837
Rarity: Common
Catalogue: 1989 Catalogue · p. 167
Figure: 11
Submitted by: D. Hammond Giles

← HG 10a All Patna HG 12 →

Census

Census records

2 covers recorded

2 pre-1854 covers bearing the Patna HG 11 handstamp are recorded below — each entry links to images, provenance and auction details.

COV-1875

14 October 1835

Patna: 1835 (i4 Oct.) entire letter to Sim1a, the reverse showing fine strike of the rare octagonal "patua/p'. po." datestamp (HG 1i) completed in manuscript; strengthened perimeter splits and tears to flap, faint traces of waterstaining, otherwise fine. Long interesting ietter

COV-1144

12 May 1837

Patna: 1837 (12 May) entire to London showing a very good strike of the rare octagonal "PATNA/P. Pd./18" with rest of date and rate (10as) in manuscript (HG 11) just overstruck by boxed Calcutta Ship Letter datestamp (HG SD10), also showing light boxed "INDIA LETTER/DOVER" in red.

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About this mark

The Patna HG 11 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 11 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of the post office at Patna in the Bengal Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1834 to 1837. Known strikes are in black. It is listed in 1989 Catalogue, where each marking of British India is assigned a figure number — hence "HG 11".

2 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 patna pre stamp covers, patna postal history or "Patna HG11" material can compare HG 11 across every office or browse the rest of the Patna marks.

Frequently asked

What is the Patna HG 11 handstamp?: Patna HG 11 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Patna in the Bengal Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1834 to 1837. The "HG 11" 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 11?: Patna HG 11 is graded "Common" in this census. Rarity here is evidence-based: it is derived from the number of surviving covers actually recorded, not estimated. 2 surviving covers bearing this mark are recorded in the census, each with images and provenance.
What does a Patna pre stamp cover with HG 11 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 11. 2 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 11 cover?: Compare your cover against the reference impression and recorded examples on this page — check the mark's shape, colour and date range (1834–1837). 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

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Also searched as: Patna HG 11, Patna HG11, Patna Giles 11, Patna handstamp, Patna pre stamp cover.

How to cite

“Patna HG 11 — handstamp,” Hand Struck Stamps, https://handstruckstampsindia.com/bengal/patna/hg-11 (accessed 10 August 2026).

Updated: 10 Aug 2026