What is the Moulmein FP 4 handstamp?

Moulmein FP 4 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Moulmein in the Burma, British India, recorded in use —. The "FP 4" 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 Moulmein FP 4?

Moulmein FP 4 is graded "Rare" in this census. Rarity here is evidence-based: it is derived from the number of surviving covers actually recorded, not estimated. 3 surviving covers bearing this mark are recorded in the census, each with images and provenance.

What does a Moulmein pre stamp cover with FP 4 look like?

A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Moulmein is a folded letter or envelope carried before India's first adhesive stamp of 1854, with postage shown entirely by hand-struck marks like FP 4. 3 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 Moulmein FP 4 cover?

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

Burma · Pre-1854 Handstamp

Moulmein FP 4

Handstamp

Colour & date: Black—
Rarity: Rare
Figure: FP4
Submitted by: Andrew Titley

← FP 3 All Moulmein FP 5 →

Census

Census records

3 covers recorded

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

COV-3360

17 January 1842

Burma 1842 (17 Jan.) entire letter "From Sub Overseer W. Crawshaw, Comst. Dept. Moulmein" to England, countersigned by the Commanding Officer and showing partially fine London "soldiers &seamens letter/4/by ship" circular h.s. (In. Sol. 7) and superb Derby arrival c.d.s. (26.6), the reverse with the finest of the three recorded examples of the "moulmein/ship letter/free" c.d.s. c.d.s. in red which opens well for display; trivial edge faults though an attractive early cover from the province of Tenasserim. Photo Estimate £ 1,000-1,200 Note: The Burmese province of Tenasserim was ceded to Great Britain as part of the Treaty of Yandaboo, signed by the Burmese in February 1826, which ended the 1st. Burmese War. Moulmein was the only post office in Tenasserim until 1854 and was administered by Bengal

COV-3364

13 November 1842

(x) Burma Ship Letters Moulmein 1842 (13 Nov.) entire letter from Mergui to France, marked "Paid 1r7a" and "18" (decimes), showing oval-framed "india", framed "paquebots/de la/mediterranee" and, on reverse, a fine strike of the very rare "moulmein/ship letter/free" c.d.s. (Type SL3) in red applied in error and deleted in manuscript with Marseilles, Lyon and arrival datestamps alongside; small piece of face panel missing at foot. Very rare, only four or five examples recorded. Photo Note: From a Catholic missionary (very unusual in Burma) to his bishop in Paris saying he is doing well & getting quite a few to mass but they mostly followed Buddhism locally.

COV-3361

30 June 1844

x Burma Early Letters and Handstamps 1844 (30 June) Soldier´s letter from Gunner T. Mason at Moulmein to London, signed by the Commanding Officer and showing oval-framed "india" and large h.s. "2" on face, the reverse with partially legible strikes of the "moulmein/ship letter/free" c.d.s. and similar type for Calcutta alongside; the face panel heavily soiled and the entire separated in places though a very rare example of the Moulmein Ship Letter Free h.s. with only three examples recorded. Photo Estimate £ 300-400

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About this mark

The Moulmein FP 4 handstamp

Moulmein FP 4 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of the post office at Moulmein in the Burma, British India, recorded in use —. Known strikes are in black. Its "FP 4" designation is the figure number assigned in the Hammond Giles catalogue of the handstruck postage stamps of India.

3 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 "Rare" — the grade moves automatically as new covers are recorded. Collectors searching for moulmein pre stamp covers, moulmein postal history or "Moulmein FP4" material can compare FP 4 across every office or browse the rest of the Moulmein marks.

Frequently asked

What is the Moulmein FP 4 handstamp?: Moulmein FP 4 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Moulmein in the Burma, British India, recorded in use —. The "FP 4" 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 Moulmein FP 4?: Moulmein FP 4 is graded "Rare" in this census. Rarity here is evidence-based: it is derived from the number of surviving covers actually recorded, not estimated. 3 surviving covers bearing this mark are recorded in the census, each with images and provenance.
What does a Moulmein pre stamp cover with FP 4 look like?: A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Moulmein is a folded letter or envelope carried before India's first adhesive stamp of 1854, with postage shown entirely by hand-struck marks like FP 4. 3 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 Moulmein FP 4 cover?: Compare your cover against the reference impression and recorded examples on this page — check the mark's shape, colour and date range (—). 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 Moulmein

5 marks

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

View all Moulmein 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: Moulmein FP 4, Moulmein FP4, Moulmein Giles FP 4, Moulmein handstamp, Moulmein pre stamp cover.

How to cite

“Moulmein FP 4 — handstamp,” Hand Struck Stamps, https://handstruckstampsindia.com/burma/moulmein/fp-4 (accessed 29 July 2026).

Updated: 29 Jul 2026