What is the Bangalore HG 16 handstamp?

Bangalore HG 16 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Bangalore (modern Bengaluru) in the Madras Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1848 to 1861. The "HG 16" designation is its figure number in the Hammond Giles catalogue of the handstruck postage stamps of India. Known strikes are in blue.

How rare is Bangalore HG 16?

Bangalore HG 16 is graded "Common" 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 Bangalore pre stamp cover with HG 16 look like?

A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Bangalore 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 16. 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 Bangalore HG 16 cover?

Compare your cover against the reference impression and recorded examples on this page — check the mark's shape, colour and date range (1848-61). 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.

Madras Presidency · Pre-1854 Handstamp

Bangalore HG 16

Handstamp Mysore State

Date Span: 1848-61
Colour: Blue
Rarity: Common
Catalogue: 1989 Catalogue · p. 24
Figure: 16
Submitted by: D. Hammond Giles

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Census

Census records

0 covers recorded

No pre stamp cover bearing the Bangalore HG 16 handstamp has been recorded yet. If you hold one, submit it below.

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About this mark

The Bangalore HG 16 handstamp

Bangalore City, the seat of government of the Mysore State, and headquarters of the Bangalore Brigade of the Indian Army, situated 12°58' N, and 77°35' E, 219 miles from Madras, and 692 miles from Bombay. The fort, first constructed of mud, was enlarged and built in stone by Haider Ali in 1761, captured by the British in 1791, subsequently dismantled by Tipu Sultan, but restored in 1799.

Bangalore HG 16 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of the post office at Bangalore — the present-day Bengaluru — in the Madras Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1848 to 1861. Known strikes are in blue. It is listed in 1989 Catalogue, where each marking of British India is assigned a figure number — hence "HG 16".

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 "Common" — the grade moves automatically as new covers are recorded. Collectors searching for bangalore pre stamp covers, bangalore postal history or "Bangalore HG16" material can compare HG 16 across every office or browse the rest of the Bangalore marks.

Frequently asked

What is the Bangalore HG 16 handstamp?: Bangalore HG 16 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Bangalore (modern Bengaluru) in the Madras Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1848 to 1861. The "HG 16" designation is its figure number in the Hammond Giles catalogue of the handstruck postage stamps of India. Known strikes are in blue.
How rare is Bangalore HG 16?: Bangalore HG 16 is graded "Common" 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 Bangalore pre stamp cover with HG 16 look like?: A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Bangalore 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 16. 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 Bangalore HG 16 cover?: Compare your cover against the reference impression and recorded examples on this page — check the mark's shape, colour and date range (1848-61). 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 Bangalore

18 marks

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

View all Bangalore marks and postal history →

Suggest a correction

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Also searched as: Bangalore HG 16, Bangalore HG16, Bangalore Giles 16, Bengaluru postal history, Bangalore handstamp, Bangalore pre stamp cover.

How to cite

“Bangalore HG 16 — handstamp,” Hand Struck Stamps, https://handstruckstampsindia.com/madras/bangalore/hg-16 (accessed 10 August 2026).

Updated: 10 Aug 2026