What is the Bombay SR30 handstamp?

Bombay SR30 is a early Indian handstruck postal marking of Bombay (modern Mumbai) in the Bombay Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1861 to 1868. The "SR30" 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 Bombay SR30?

Bombay SR30 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 Bombay pre stamp cover with SR30 look like?

A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Bombay is a folded letter or envelope carried before India's first adhesive stamp of 1854, with postage shown entirely by hand-struck marks like SR30. 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 Bombay SR30 cover?

Compare your cover against the reference impression and recorded examples on this page — check the mark's shape, colour and date range (1861–1868). 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.

Bombay Presidency · Pre-1854 Handstamp

Bombay SR30

Handstamp

Colour & date: Black1861–1868
Rarity: Common
Note: Type 1
Catalogue: 1989 Catalogue · p. 40
Figure: SR30
Submitted by: D. Hammond Giles

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Census

Census records

2 covers recorded

2 pre-1854 covers bearing the Bombay SR30 handstamp are recorded below — each entry links to images, provenance and auction details.

COV-4721

28 March 1863

1862, 5¢ Jefferson, red brown (Scott 75), tied on an 1863 mourning cover to Wellington, India (a town in Tamil Nadu), forwarded to Madras, India, with "Wellington MY 4, 1864" double-circle datestamp with day in manuscript, two additional similar markings on back, blue London (Mar. 28, 1863), Bombay (Jan. 26, 1864), 4 annas due marking, docketed at left "Written March 14th 63, Rec'd. May 64", Fine to Very Fine, unusual.

COV-3531

29 October 1868

1868-75 Covers to army officers only franked 1d, the first with boxed "DEFICIENT POSTAGE (9) / BRITISH SHARE OF FINE (3)" and circular "ST BG / As 10" charge, the second with boxed "DEFICIENT POSTAGE (8) / FINE 9d" and circular "OVERLAND POSTAGE / DUE / A-P / 11-4", both returned to G.B with differing "REFUSED" handstamps, the first with minor staining and small tear at left, two unusual covers. (2).

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About this mark

The Bombay SR30 handstamp

Mumbai, also known as Bombay, is the capital city of the Indian state of Maharashtra — the financial capital and most populous city of India, on the Konkan coast of the Arabian Sea.

Bombay SR30 is a early Indian handstruck postal marking of the post office at Bombay — the present-day Mumbai — in the Bombay Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1861 to 1868. Known strikes are in black. It is listed in 1989 Catalogue, where each marking of British India is assigned a figure number — hence "SR30".

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 bombay pre stamp covers, bombay postal history or "Bombay SR30" material can compare SR30 across every office or browse the rest of the Bombay marks.

Type 1

Frequently asked

What is the Bombay SR30 handstamp?: Bombay SR30 is a early Indian handstruck postal marking of Bombay (modern Mumbai) in the Bombay Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1861 to 1868. The "SR30" 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 Bombay SR30?: Bombay SR30 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 Bombay pre stamp cover with SR30 look like?: A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Bombay is a folded letter or envelope carried before India's first adhesive stamp of 1854, with postage shown entirely by hand-struck marks like SR30. 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 Bombay SR30 cover?: Compare your cover against the reference impression and recorded examples on this page — check the mark's shape, colour and date range (1861–1868). 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 Bombay

111 marks

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

View all Bombay marks and postal history →

Suggest a correction

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Also searched as: Bombay SR30, Bombay Giles SR30, Mumbai postal history, Bombay handstamp, Bombay pre stamp cover.

How to cite

“Bombay SR30 — handstamp,” Hand Struck Stamps, https://handstruckstampsindia.com/bombay/bombay/sr30 (accessed 24 September 2026).

Updated: 24 Sept 2026