What is the Moulmein FP 5 handstamp?

Moulmein FP 5 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Moulmein in the Burma, British India, recorded in use —. The "FP 5" 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 5?

Moulmein FP 5 is graded "Rare" in this census. Rarity here is evidence-based: it is derived from the number of surviving covers actually recorded, not estimated. 2 surviving covers bearing this mark are recorded in the census, each with images and provenance.

What does a Moulmein pre stamp cover with FP 5 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 5. 2 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 5 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 5

Handstamp

Colour & date: Black—
Rarity: Rare
Figure: FP5
Submitted by: Andrew Titley

← FP 4 All Moulmein FP 6 →

Census

Census records

2 covers recorded

2 pre-1854 covers bearing the Moulmein FP 5 handstamp are recorded below — each entry links to images, provenance and auction details.

COV-3378

28 August 1842

STRAITS SETTLEMENTS Early Letters and Handstamps Malacca 1842 (28 Aug.) entire letter from Rev. Bennet in Tavoy, Burma addressed to Rev. D. Bradley, M.D. at Bangkok showing, on reverse, "moulmein/ship letter/Bearing" d.s. for 10th September, very rare "malacca/ship letter/Bearing" d.s. in red (one of five recorded) partly overstruck by unrecorded faint boxed "malacca/....." in red, two different Calcutta transit datestamps and, on face, light "singapore/ship letter/Bearing" d.s. in black. A most remarkable cover. Photo Estimate S$ 10,000-12,000

COV-3380

20 May 1843

x) Straits Settlements Early Letters and Handstamps Malacca 1843 (20 May) entire letter ex the Rev. Bradley correspondence from Tavoy, Burma to Bangkok, marked "Paid 2as" and showing, on reverse across join, fine framed "malacca/ship letter/Bearing" d.s. erroneously struck in red with Moulmein Ship Letter Bearing, Calcutta Ship Letter and Calcutta G.P.O. datestamps alongside. Very rare, only six examples recorded. Photo

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About this mark

The Moulmein FP 5 handstamp

Moulmein FP 5 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 5" designation is the figure number assigned in the Hammond Giles catalogue of the handstruck postage stamps of India.

2 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 FP5" material can compare FP 5 across every office or browse the rest of the Moulmein marks.

Frequently asked

What is the Moulmein FP 5 handstamp?: Moulmein FP 5 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Moulmein in the Burma, British India, recorded in use —. The "FP 5" 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 5?: Moulmein FP 5 is graded "Rare" in this census. Rarity here is evidence-based: it is derived from the number of surviving covers actually recorded, not estimated. 2 surviving covers bearing this mark are recorded in the census, each with images and provenance.
What does a Moulmein pre stamp cover with FP 5 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 5. 2 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 5 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 5, Moulmein FP5, Moulmein Giles FP 5, Moulmein handstamp, Moulmein pre stamp cover.

How to cite

“Moulmein FP 5 — handstamp,” Hand Struck Stamps, https://handstruckstampsindia.com/burma/moulmein/fp-5 (accessed 29 July 2026).

Updated: 29 Jul 2026