What is the Poona HG 12A handstamp?

Poona HG 12A is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Poona (modern Pune) in the Bombay Presidency, British India, recorded in use around 1845. The "HG 12A" 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 Poona HG 12A?

Poona HG 12A is graded "Rare" in this census. Rarity here is evidence-based: it is derived from the number of surviving covers actually recorded, not estimated. A single surviving cover bearing this mark is recorded in the census, with images and provenance.

What does a Poona pre stamp cover with HG 12A look like?

A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Poona 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 12A. A single surviving cover bearing this mark is recorded in the census, 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 Poona HG 12A cover?

Compare your cover against the reference impression and recorded examples on this page — check the mark's shape, colour and date range (1845). 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

Poona HG 12A

Handstamp

Colour & date: Black1845
Rarity: Rare
Figure: 12A
Submitted by: Gowtham BJ

← HG 12 All Poona HG 13 →

Census

Census records

1 cover recorded

1 pre-1854 cover bearing the Poona HG 12A handstamp is recorded below — each entry links to images, provenance and auction details.

COV-1119

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About this mark

The Poona HG 12A handstamp

Poona, the headquarters of Poona District, is situated 18°31' N and 73°51' E, 1850 feet above sea level, and 119 miles south-east of Bombay. In 1763 the Nizam Ali of Hyderabad sacked the town. In the struggle between successive Peshwas, and their subordinates Sindhia and Holkar, Poona suffered many vicissitudes, until 1802, by the provisions of the Treaty of Bassein, the Peshwa allowed the British subsidiary force to be stationed there. After the defeat of the Peshwa in 1818, Poonah became the headquarters of a British District, as the principal cantonment in the Deccan. •

Poona HG 12A is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of the post office at Poona — the present-day Pune — in the Bombay Presidency, British India, recorded in use around 1845. Known strikes are in black. Its "HG 12A" designation is the figure number assigned in the Hammond Giles catalogue of the handstruck postage stamps of India.

A single surviving cover bearing this mark is recorded in the census, 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 poona pre stamp covers, poona postal history or "Poona HG12A" material can compare HG 12A across every office or browse the rest of the Poona marks.

Frequently asked

What is the Poona HG 12A handstamp?: Poona HG 12A is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Poona (modern Pune) in the Bombay Presidency, British India, recorded in use around 1845. The "HG 12A" 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 Poona HG 12A?: Poona HG 12A is graded "Rare" in this census. Rarity here is evidence-based: it is derived from the number of surviving covers actually recorded, not estimated. A single surviving cover bearing this mark is recorded in the census, with images and provenance.
What does a Poona pre stamp cover with HG 12A look like?: A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Poona 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 12A. A single surviving cover bearing this mark is recorded in the census, 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 Poona HG 12A cover?: Compare your cover against the reference impression and recorded examples on this page — check the mark's shape, colour and date range (1845). 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 Poona

17 marks

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

View all Poona 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: Poona HG 12A, Poona HG12A, Poona Giles 12A, Pune postal history, Poona handstamp, Poona pre stamp cover.

How to cite

“Poona HG 12A — handstamp,” Hand Struck Stamps, https://handstruckstampsindia.com/bombay/poona/hg-12a (accessed 19 August 2026).

Updated: 19 Aug 2026