What is the Broach HG 3 handstamp?

Broach HG 3 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Broach (modern Bharuch) in the Bombay Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1851 to 1857. The "HG 3" 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 Broach HG 3?

Broach HG 3 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 Broach pre stamp cover with HG 3 look like?

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

Compare your cover against the reference impression and recorded examples on this page — check the mark's shape, colour and date range (1851–1857). 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

Broach HG 3

Colour & date: Red1851–1857
Rarity: Common
Catalogue: 2016 Supplement (Chandak & Bhargave) · p. 43
Figure: 3
Submitted by: Chandak & Bhargave

← HG 2 All Broach

Census

Census records

4 covers recorded

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

COV-2674

25 January 1856

India, 1854, ½a Indigo, Die II (2D; SG 7). Huge to large margins, slight overall toning, tied by barred "28" cancel with red framed "BARODA/1856 JAN 24/Paid" datestamp (Giles 1) on blue folded letter to Broach, red framed "BROACH/1856 JAN 25/Paid" arrival datestamp (unrecorded by Giles), cover with some ink erosion (mostly on internal letter) and some toned spots, otherwise Fine, a scarce cover between two former Dutch Surat towns

COV-2773

15 September 1856

1856 (Sep) Entire from Kurrachee to Broach with 1854 1/2a blue, touched, tied by type 1 dotted lozenge (9×10 dots), reverse with despatch cds and arrival box « Paid. » ds (unrecorded by Giles), minor soiling otherwise fine

COV-1190

Broach Paid/Bearing strike on fl

COV-3560

f.w. ½a pale blue imperf die I, tied by “1” type 4 from Bombay to Broach with faint trisected BOMBAY Paid and trisected BROACH Paid on reverse

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About this mark

The Broach HG 3 handstamp

Broach is the capital of the District of the same name, in Gujerat, Bombay Presidency, on the right bank of the Narbada River, 30 miles from its mouth, situated 21°42' N and 72°59' E. It was taken by storm by the British in 1772, handed over to Scindia in 1783, and retaken by the British in 1803, and remained in their possession thereafter.

Broach HG 3 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of the post office at Broach — the present-day Bharuch — in the Bombay Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1851 to 1857. Known strikes are in red. It is listed in 2016 Supplement (Chandak & Bhargave), where each marking of British India is assigned a figure number — hence "HG 3".

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 broach pre stamp covers, broach postal history or "Broach HG3" material can compare HG 3 across every office or browse the rest of the Broach marks.

Frequently asked

What is the Broach HG 3 handstamp?: Broach HG 3 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Broach (modern Bharuch) in the Bombay Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1851 to 1857. The "HG 3" 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 Broach HG 3?: Broach HG 3 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 Broach pre stamp cover with HG 3 look like?: A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Broach 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 3. 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 Broach HG 3 cover?: Compare your cover against the reference impression and recorded examples on this page — check the mark's shape, colour and date range (1851–1857). 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 Broach

2 marks

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

View all Broach 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: Broach HG 3, Broach HG3, Broach Giles 3, Bharuch postal history, Broach handstamp, Broach pre stamp cover.

How to cite

“Broach HG 3 — handstamp,” Hand Struck Stamps, https://handstruckstampsindia.com/bombay/broach/hg-3 (accessed 10 August 2026).

Updated: 10 Aug 2026