Bombay Presidency · Pre-1854 Handstamp
Deesa HG 3
- Date Span
- 1854-58
- Colour
- Red
- Rarity
- Common
- Catalogue
- 1993 Supplement · p. 13
- Figure
- 3
- Submitted by
- D. Hammond Giles
Census
Census records
0 covers recordedNo pre stamp cover bearing the Deesa HG 3 handstamp has been recorded yet. If you hold one, submit it below.
No covers bearing this mark have been recorded yet. If you hold one, your submission — once reviewed — will appear here.
About this mark
The Deesa HG 3 handstamp
Deesa, a cantonment in the Palanpur Agency, Bombay, is situated 24°14' N and 72°12' E, on the River Banas, about 300 miles north-by-west of Bombay. It is surround ed by a wall and towers, and formerly resisted attacks from the Gaikwar of Baroda and the Radhanpur forces.
Deesa HG 3 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of the post office at Deesa in the Bombay Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1854 to 1858. Known strikes are in red. It is listed in 1993 Supplement, where each marking of British India is assigned a figure number — hence "HG 3".
No surviving cover bearing this mark has been recorded in the census yet — if you hold one, it may be the first recorded example. On the strength of that count the mark is graded "Common" — the grade moves automatically as new covers are recorded. Collectors searching for deesa pre stamp covers, deesa postal history or "Deesa HG3" material can compare HG 3 across every office or browse the rest of the Deesa marks.
Frequently asked
- What is the Deesa HG 3 handstamp?
- Deesa HG 3 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Deesa in the Bombay Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1854 to 1858. 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 Deesa HG 3?
- Deesa 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. No surviving cover bearing this mark has been recorded in the census yet — if you hold one, it may be the first recorded example.
- What does a Deesa pre stamp cover with HG 3 look like?
- A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Deesa 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. No surviving cover bearing this mark has been recorded in the census yet — if you hold one, it may be the first recorded example. Each census record on this page links to full cover images, dates and auction provenance.
- How do I identify or submit a Deesa 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 (1854-58). 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 Deesa
4 marks4 other pre-1854 postal markings of Deesa are recorded in the census. Compare their figure numbers, dates and colours to identify the mark on your cover.
Suggest a correction
Spotted a wrong date, colour or rarity? Propose a change — every suggestion is reviewed before it is applied.
Also searched as: Deesa HG 3, Deesa HG3, Deesa Giles 3, Deesa handstamp, Deesa pre stamp cover.
How to cite
“Deesa HG 3 — handstamp,” Hand Struck Stamps, https://handstruckstampsindia.com/bombay/deesa/hg-3 (accessed 10 August 2026).
Updated: 10 Aug 2026