What is the Patna HG 14b handstamp?

Patna HG 14b is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Patna in the Bengal Presidency, British India, recorded in use around 1840. The "HG 14b" 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 14b?

Patna HG 14b is graded "Common" 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 14b 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 14b. 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 14b cover?

Compare your cover against the reference impression and recorded examples on this page — check the mark's shape, colour and date range (1840). 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 14b

Handstamp

Colour & date: Red1840
Rarity: Common
Figure: 14b
Submitted by: Gowtham BJ

← HG 14a All Patna HG 15 →

Census

Census records

1 cover recorded

1 pre-1854 cover bearing the Patna HG 14b handstamp is recorded below — each entry links to images, provenance and auction details.

COV-5597

1840

(x) Straits Settlements Early Letters and Handstamps Incoming Mail 1840-70 entire letters (5) and a mourning envelope (with letter) from India to Singapore, two carried privately and the others showing despatch markings, condition mixed Subject to 5% tax on Hammer Price in addition to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium.

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About this mark

The Patna HG 14b 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 14b is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of the post office at Patna in the Bengal Presidency, British India, recorded in use around 1840. Known strikes are in red. Its "HG 14b" 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 "Common" — the grade moves automatically as new covers are recorded. Collectors searching for patna pre stamp covers, patna postal history or "Patna HG14b" material can compare HG 14b across every office or browse the rest of the Patna marks.

Frequently asked

What is the Patna HG 14b handstamp?: Patna HG 14b is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Patna in the Bengal Presidency, British India, recorded in use around 1840. The "HG 14b" 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 14b?: Patna HG 14b is graded "Common" 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 14b 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 14b. 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 14b cover?: Compare your cover against the reference impression and recorded examples on this page — check the mark's shape, colour and date range (1840). 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

19 marks

19 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 14b, Patna HG14b, Patna Giles 14b, Patna handstamp, Patna pre stamp cover.

How to cite

“Patna HG 14b — handstamp,” Hand Struck Stamps, https://handstruckstampsindia.com/bengal/patna/hg-14b (accessed 5 October 2026).

Updated: 5 Oct 2026