What is the Bangalore HG 5 handstamp?

Bangalore HG 5 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Bangalore (modern Bengaluru) in the Madras Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1823 to 1837. The "HG 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 Bangalore HG 5?

Bangalore HG 5 is graded "Scarce" in this census. Rarity here is evidence-based: it is derived from the number of surviving covers actually recorded, not estimated. A single surviving cover bearing this mark is recorded in the census, with images and provenance.

What does a Bangalore pre stamp cover with HG 5 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 5. A single surviving cover bearing this mark is recorded in the census, 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 Bangalore HG 5 cover?

Compare your cover against the reference impression and recorded examples on this page — check the mark's shape, colour and date range (1823–1837). 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.

Bangalore HG 5 — pre-1854 Indian handstamp, 1823–1837, Black

Madras Presidency · Pre-1854 Handstamp

Bangalore HG 5

Handstamp Mysore State

Colour & date: Black1823–1837
Rarity: Scarce
Catalogue: 1989 Catalogue · p. 23
Figure: 5
Submitted by: D. Hammond Giles

← HG 4 All Bangalore HG 6 →

Census

Census records

1 cover recorded

1 pre-1854 cover bearing the Bangalore HG 5 handstamp is recorded below — each entry links to images, provenance and auction details.

COV-943

2 January 1823

Entire posted from Bangalore to Madras with "Bangalore Post Not Paid" HG5 handstamp in red color along with Madras Bearing postage and other handstamps, posted on 2nd January 1823 with postage due of 1 Rupee, 2 annas.

Compare HG 5 across every office →

About this mark

The Bangalore HG 5 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 5 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 1823 to 1837. Known strikes are in black. It is listed in 1989 Catalogue, where each marking of British India is assigned a figure number — hence "HG 5".

A single surviving cover bearing this mark is recorded in the census, with images and provenance. On the strength of that count the mark is graded "Scarce" — the grade moves automatically as new covers are recorded. Collectors searching for bangalore pre stamp covers, bangalore postal history or "Bangalore HG5" material can compare HG 5 across every office or browse the rest of the Bangalore marks.

Frequently asked

What is the Bangalore HG 5 handstamp?: Bangalore HG 5 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Bangalore (modern Bengaluru) in the Madras Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1823 to 1837. The "HG 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 Bangalore HG 5?: Bangalore HG 5 is graded "Scarce" in this census. Rarity here is evidence-based: it is derived from the number of surviving covers actually recorded, not estimated. A single surviving cover bearing this mark is recorded in the census, with images and provenance.
What does a Bangalore pre stamp cover with HG 5 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 5. A single surviving cover bearing this mark is recorded in the census, 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 Bangalore HG 5 cover?: Compare your cover against the reference impression and recorded examples on this page — check the mark's shape, colour and date range (1823–1837). 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

Spotted a wrong date, colour or rarity? Propose a change — every suggestion is reviewed before it is applied.

Also searched as: Bangalore HG 5, Bangalore HG5, Bangalore Giles 5, Bengaluru postal history, Bangalore handstamp, Bangalore pre stamp cover.

How to cite

“Bangalore HG 5 — handstamp,” Hand Struck Stamps, https://handstruckstampsindia.com/madras/bangalore/hg-5 (accessed 10 August 2026).

Updated: 10 Aug 2026