What is the Tirhoot HG A handstamp?

Tirhoot HG A is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Tirhoot in the Bengal Presidency, British India, recorded in use around 1819. The "HG A" 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 Tirhoot HG A?

Tirhoot HG A is graded "Rare" 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 Tirhoot pre stamp cover with HG A look like?

A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Tirhoot 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 A. 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 Tirhoot HG A cover?

Compare your cover against the reference impression and recorded examples on this page — check the mark's shape, colour and date range (1819). 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

Tirhoot HG A

Intaglio

Colour & date: Black1819
Rarity: Rare
Note: Intaglio white on black – Rare
Catalogue: 1993 Supplement · p. 29
Figure: A
Submitted by: D. Hammond Giles

← HG 3 All Tirhoot

Census

Census records

2 covers recorded

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

COV-767

1819

1819: H.G. A : Letter from TIRHOOT to CALCUTTA & the postage paid is shown as 9 as. for a Single letter. The rate from TIRHOOT to CALCUTTA was 9 as. from 1808 to 1830. It was reduced to 8 as. in 1830 for a single letter. Before 1808 it was only 7as. TIRHOOT was formerly a district place which was later divided into two districts viz. MUZAFFERPUR and DHARBANGA. The Post Office of TIRHOOT town was from 1791 or may be prior to it also. It was near BUXAR. This handstamp: The only known copy of this extremely rare intaglio handstamp which shows "TIRHOOT / Pt.Pd." in a square with roundish corners. The cover is Ex Soli Contractor and he opined that the handstamp should have the words POST Pd and accordingly he asked the advice of Giles, and Giles in his personal letter to Soli opined that it has to be Pt Pd as there is no space for the word POST and secondly he has never seen any early stamp having the words POST Pd. Giles letter enclosed.

COV-2680

25 April 1819

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About this mark

The Tirhoot HG A handstamp

Tirhoot was formerly a District of Bengal situated between 25°54' and 26°28' N and 84°53' and 85°45' E, and was later divided into two Districts, Muzafferpur and Dhabahnga. The Tirhoot Post Office seems to have been near Buxar.

Tirhoot HG A is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of the post office at Tirhoot in the Bengal Presidency, British India, recorded in use around 1819. Known strikes are in black. It is listed in 1993 Supplement, where each marking of British India is assigned a figure number — hence "HG A".

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 "Rare" — the grade moves automatically as new covers are recorded. Collectors searching for tirhoot pre stamp covers, tirhoot postal history or "Tirhoot HGA" material can compare HG A across every office or browse the rest of the Tirhoot marks.

Intaglio white on black – Rare

Frequently asked

What is the Tirhoot HG A handstamp?: Tirhoot HG A is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Tirhoot in the Bengal Presidency, British India, recorded in use around 1819. The "HG A" 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 Tirhoot HG A?: Tirhoot HG A is graded "Rare" 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 Tirhoot pre stamp cover with HG A look like?: A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Tirhoot 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 A. 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 Tirhoot HG A cover?: Compare your cover against the reference impression and recorded examples on this page — check the mark's shape, colour and date range (1819). 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 Tirhoot

3 marks

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

View all Tirhoot 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: Tirhoot HG A, Tirhoot HGA, Tirhoot Giles A, Tirhoot handstamp, Tirhoot pre stamp cover.

How to cite

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

Updated: 10 Aug 2026