What is the Patna HG 14 handstamp?

Patna HG 14 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Patna in the Bengal Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1838 to 1852. The "HG 14" 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 14?

Patna HG 14 is graded "Common" in this census. Rarity here is evidence-based: it is derived from the number of surviving covers actually recorded, not estimated. 4 surviving covers bearing this mark are recorded in the census, each with images and provenance.

What does a Patna pre stamp cover with HG 14 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 14. 4 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 14 cover?

Compare your cover against the reference impression and recorded examples on this page — check the mark's shape, colour and date range (1838–1852). 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 14 — pre-1854 Indian handstamp, 1838–1852, Red

Bengal Presidency · Pre-1854 Handstamp

Patna HG 14

Handstamp Ex-territorial British

Colour & date: Red1838–1852
Rarity: Common
Catalogue: 1989 Catalogue · p. 167
Figure: 14
Submitted by: D. Hammond Giles

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Census

Census records

4 covers recorded

4 pre-1854 covers bearing the Patna HG 14 handstamp are recorded below — each entry links to images, provenance and auction details.

COV-1361

1840

1840 PATNA Paid HG 14 on fl from Bankipore to Singapore - scarce destination

COV-3160

24 November 1849

1849 (Nov) Entire letter sent from Patna to Calcutta with large boxed AM in black and PATNA/Post Paid 3as (Giles #16) in red along with rectangular boxed G.P.O./1849 Nov 24 in red on front

COV-2260

25 March 1850

PACKET LETTER RATE COVERS VIA RED SEA ROUTE & FALMOUTH/SOUTHAMPTON/MARSEILLES; 1843-63 stampless covers ex Calcutta, Bombay, Combatore, Madras, Cassipore, Patna, or Batavia (2) at various rates and many endorsed by well-known ships; inc. 1850 with v. fine red boxed "PATNA/Paid" ds endorsed "Paid Steam Postage/1 Shilling or 8as/Do. Inland Do. 6 [=] 14as", 1856 scarce fair red small boxed "MEERUT/Overland" mark, 1856 with London "PAID" ds struck in error & cancelled by "2" diamond numeral, and 1863 with "BATAVIA/FRANCO" ds and fine small boxed "INDIA PAID/BY BATAVIA". Good lot. (17 covers) Cross Reference: NETHERLANDS COLONIES, POSTAGE DUE MARKS

COV-1362

1851

1851 PATNA Paid HG 14 in red on ladies cover to Calcutta with boxed AM and G.P.O. HG G19

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About this mark

The Patna HG 14 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 14 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of the post office at Patna in the Bengal Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1838 to 1852. Known strikes are in red. It is listed in 1989 Catalogue, where each marking of British India is assigned a figure number — hence "HG 14".

4 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 HG14" material can compare HG 14 across every office or browse the rest of the Patna marks.

Frequently asked

What is the Patna HG 14 handstamp?: Patna HG 14 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Patna in the Bengal Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1838 to 1852. The "HG 14" 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 14?: Patna HG 14 is graded "Common" in this census. Rarity here is evidence-based: it is derived from the number of surviving covers actually recorded, not estimated. 4 surviving covers bearing this mark are recorded in the census, each with images and provenance.
What does a Patna pre stamp cover with HG 14 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 14. 4 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 14 cover?: Compare your cover against the reference impression and recorded examples on this page — check the mark's shape, colour and date range (1838–1852). 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 14, Patna HG14, Patna Giles 14, Patna handstamp, Patna pre stamp cover.

How to cite

“Patna HG 14 — handstamp,” Hand Struck Stamps, https://handstruckstampsindia.com/bengal/patna/hg-14 (accessed 10 August 2026).

Updated: 10 Aug 2026