What is the Sholapoor HG 6 handstamp?

Sholapoor HG 6 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Sholapoor (modern Solapur) in the Bombay Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1845 to 1855. The "HG 6" 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 Sholapoor HG 6?

Sholapoor HG 6 is graded "Common" in this census. Rarity here is evidence-based: it is derived from the number of surviving covers actually recorded, not estimated. 6 surviving covers bearing this mark are recorded in the census, each with images and provenance.

What does a Sholapoor pre stamp cover with HG 6 look like?

A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Sholapoor 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 6. 6 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 Sholapoor HG 6 cover?

Compare your cover against the reference impression and recorded examples on this page — check the mark's shape, colour and date range (1845–1855). 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.

Sholapoor HG 6 — pre-1854 Indian handstamp, 1845–1855, Red

Bombay Presidency · Pre-1854 Handstamp

Sholapoor HG 6

Handstamp

Colour & date: Red1845–1855
Rarity: Common
Catalogue: 1989 Catalogue · p. 193
Figure: 6
Submitted by: D. Hammond Giles

← HG 5 All Sholapoor HG 7 →

Census

Census records

6 covers recorded

6 pre-1854 covers bearing the Sholapoor HG 6 handstamp are recorded below — each entry links to images, provenance and auction details.

COV-3863

1839

India 1839 superb prestamp cover from Sholapoor (Giles #3) to Scotland indicating 4as internal rate to Bombay

COV-3066

1845

COV-503

1846

India, Sholapoor, 1846, "SHOLAPOOR/1846 DEC 12/Paid" Framed Datestamp (Giles 6). Clear strike in red with manuscript "4 A Inland Post, 8 A Steamer" rate added on cover to London, England, sender's directive "via Southampton" , red "INDIA PAID" handstamp, London (Jan. 29, 1847) arrival datestamp, manuscript "1/2" rate marking, accompanied by original enclosure, cover with very mild vertical file fold thru marking, Very Fine

COV-2426

27 November 1851

1851: H.G.6 : Letter posted from SHOLAPOOR [27 Nov. 51] to MADENA [SAUDI ARABIA] paid only upto Bombay 4 annas, bears 3 different types of return/detained postmarks for the ship postage 3/8. The dues were paid by the recipient on 29 Jan. 1852 and got the possession of the letter.

COV-1996

4 October 1854

COV-2783

12 July 1855

1855 (Jul 12) Envelope from Sholapoor to England with 1854 2a green (small tear) and two 4a blue & red head die II frame die I, both cut to shape and touched, tied by JC type 1 dotted diamond (9×9 dots), with despatch « Paid. » box hs and London cds adjacent, Leamington bs, fine looking cover

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About this mark

The Sholapoor HG 6 handstamp

Sholapoor is the headquarters of Sholapoor District, Bombay, situated 1r40' N and 75°54' E. In 1795 it was ceded by the Nizam to the Marathas, and at the close of the war with the Peshwa in 1818, it was stormed by General Munro.

Sholapoor HG 6 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of the post office at Sholapoor — the present-day Solapur — in the Bombay Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1845 to 1855. Known strikes are in red. It is listed in 1989 Catalogue, where each marking of British India is assigned a figure number — hence "HG 6".

6 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 sholapoor pre stamp covers, sholapoor postal history or "Sholapoor HG6" material can compare HG 6 across every office or browse the rest of the Sholapoor marks.

Frequently asked

What is the Sholapoor HG 6 handstamp?: Sholapoor HG 6 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Sholapoor (modern Solapur) in the Bombay Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1845 to 1855. The "HG 6" 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 Sholapoor HG 6?: Sholapoor HG 6 is graded "Common" in this census. Rarity here is evidence-based: it is derived from the number of surviving covers actually recorded, not estimated. 6 surviving covers bearing this mark are recorded in the census, each with images and provenance.
What does a Sholapoor pre stamp cover with HG 6 look like?: A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Sholapoor 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 6. 6 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 Sholapoor HG 6 cover?: Compare your cover against the reference impression and recorded examples on this page — check the mark's shape, colour and date range (1845–1855). 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 Sholapoor

7 marks

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

View all Sholapoor 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: Sholapoor HG 6, Sholapoor HG6, Sholapoor Giles 6, Solapur postal history, Sholapoor handstamp, Sholapoor pre stamp cover.

How to cite

“Sholapoor HG 6 — handstamp,” Hand Struck Stamps, https://handstruckstampsindia.com/bombay/sholapoor/hg-6 (accessed 10 August 2026).

Updated: 10 Aug 2026