Bombay Presidency · Pre-1854 Handstamp
Rajkote HG 3
- Colour & date
- Black1851
- Rarity
- Scarce
- Catalogue
- 1989 Catalogue · p. 178
- Figure
- 3
- Submitted by
- D. Hammond Giles
Census
Census records
0 covers recordedNo pre stamp cover bearing the Rajkote 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 Rajkote HG 3 handstamp
Rajkote is the capital of Rajkote State in the Kathiawar Political Agency, situated 22°18' N and 70°50' E. It was the residence of the Agent of the Governor in Kathiawar.
Rajkote HG 3 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of the post office at Rajkote — the present-day Rajkot — in the Bombay Presidency, British India, recorded in use around 1851. Known strikes are in black. It is listed in 1989 Catalogue, 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 "Scarce" — the grade moves automatically as new covers are recorded. Collectors searching for rajkote pre stamp covers, rajkote postal history or "Rajkote HG3" material can compare HG 3 across every office or browse the rest of the Rajkote marks.
Frequently asked
- What is the Rajkote HG 3 handstamp?
- Rajkote HG 3 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Rajkote (modern Rajkot) in the Bombay Presidency, British India, recorded in use around 1851. The "HG 3" 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 Rajkote HG 3?
- Rajkote HG 3 is graded "Scarce" 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 Rajkote pre stamp cover with HG 3 look like?
- A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Rajkote 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 Rajkote 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). 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 Rajkote
5 marks5 other pre-1854 postal markings of Rajkote 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: Rajkote HG 3, Rajkote HG3, Rajkote Giles 3, Rajkot postal history, Rajkote handstamp, Rajkote pre stamp cover.
How to cite
“Rajkote HG 3 — handstamp,” Hand Struck Stamps, https://handstruckstampsindia.com/bombay/rajkote/hg-3 (accessed 10 August 2026).
Updated: 10 Aug 2026