What is the Tipperah HG 4 handstamp?

Tipperah HG 4 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Tipperah in the Bengal Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1837 to 1854. The "HG 4" 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 Tipperah HG 4?

Tipperah HG 4 is graded "Common" in this census. Rarity here is evidence-based: it is derived from the number of surviving covers actually recorded, not estimated. 3 surviving covers bearing this mark are recorded in the census, each with images and provenance.

What does a Tipperah pre stamp cover with HG 4 look like?

A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Tipperah 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 4. 3 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 Tipperah HG 4 cover?

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

Tipperah HG 4 — pre-1854 Indian handstamp, 1837–1854, Black

Bengal Presidency · Pre-1854 Handstamp

Tipperah HG 4

Handstamp

Colour & date: Black1837–1854
Rarity: Common
Note: Both examples seen are in black ink
Catalogue: 1989 Catalogue · p. 203
Figure: 4
Submitted by: D. Hammond Giles

← HG 3 All Tipperah

Census

Census records

3 covers recorded

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

COV-758

1837

1837 : H.G. 4 : The cover was first stamped with the scarce "TIPPERA / Paid" despatch stamp in black [although the P.O. Act required "PAID" stamp to be in red] and 1 anna postage took the letter to CALCUTTA, where it received the Ship Letter despatch stamp in red. 1839 : S.D.11 : The "CALCUTTA/G.P.O. / SHIP LETTER/ 25 DE 25/1837" stamp, 39 mm, and in red ink, probably came into use with the publication of the Post Office Act In October,1837, and this cover has the earliest example yet recorded of its use in December, 1837.

COV-447

1838

India, Tipperah, 1838, "TIPPERA/Paid" Framed Handstamp (Giles 4). Clear strike with manuscript "9 Febry" date and "1" (anna) rate added on back of 1838 folded letter to London, England, red framed "INDIA LETTER/WEYMOUTH" handstamp (Robertson In. 2), Calcutta Ship Letter (Feb. 12) transit and London (Jul. 16) arrival backstamps, manuscript "2/-" rate marking, extensive and detailed letter which includes the opium trade, India's production and the income generated for the East India Company, Fine

COV-1240

1854

1854 TIPPERA Paid in red Giles 4 used much later on fl bearing 1a red imperf, both pre-stamp examples only recorded in black

Compare HG 4 across every office →

About this mark

The Tipperah HG 4 handstamp

Tipperah is a District in the Chittagong Division of Assam, and is situated 23°28' N and 91°11' E, on the banks of the Ganges. The country was in the hands of the Moghuls until 1765, when it came into the possession of the East India Company.

Tipperah HG 4 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of the post office at Tipperah in the Bengal Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1837 to 1854. Known strikes are in black. It is listed in 1989 Catalogue, where each marking of British India is assigned a figure number — hence "HG 4".

3 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 tipperah pre stamp covers, tipperah postal history or "Tipperah HG4" material can compare HG 4 across every office or browse the rest of the Tipperah marks.

Both examples seen are in black ink

Frequently asked

What is the Tipperah HG 4 handstamp?: Tipperah HG 4 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Tipperah in the Bengal Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1837 to 1854. The "HG 4" 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 Tipperah HG 4?: Tipperah HG 4 is graded "Common" in this census. Rarity here is evidence-based: it is derived from the number of surviving covers actually recorded, not estimated. 3 surviving covers bearing this mark are recorded in the census, each with images and provenance.
What does a Tipperah pre stamp cover with HG 4 look like?: A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Tipperah 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 4. 3 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 Tipperah HG 4 cover?: Compare your cover against the reference impression and recorded examples on this page — check the mark's shape, colour and date range (1837–1854). 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 Tipperah

3 marks

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

View all Tipperah 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: Tipperah HG 4, Tipperah HG4, Tipperah Giles 4, Tipperah handstamp, Tipperah pre stamp cover.

How to cite

“Tipperah HG 4 — handstamp,” Hand Struck Stamps, https://handstruckstampsindia.com/bengal/tipperah/hg-4 (accessed 10 August 2026).

Updated: 10 Aug 2026