What is the Bellary HG 10 handstamp?

Bellary HG 10 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Bellary (modern Ballari) in the Madras Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1842 to 1858. The "HG 10" 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 Bellary HG 10?

Bellary HG 10 is graded "Common" 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 Bellary pre stamp cover with HG 10 look like?

A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Bellary 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 10. 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 Bellary HG 10 cover?

Compare your cover against the reference impression and recorded examples on this page — check the mark's shape, colour and date range (1842–1858). 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.

Bellary HG 10 — pre-1854 Indian handstamp, 1842–1858, Black

Madras Presidency · Pre-1854 Handstamp

Bellary HG 10

Handstamp

Colour & date: Black1842–1858
Rarity: Common
Catalogue: 1989 Catalogue · p. 21
Figure: 10
Submitted by: D. Hammond Giles

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Census

Census records

2 covers recorded

2 pre-1854 covers bearing the Bellary HG 10 handstamp are recorded below — each entry links to images, provenance and auction details.

COV-2983

23 April 1842

COV-835

1853

1853 : H.G. 7 : Although this cover has an English Adhesive postage stamp on it, it falls within the pre-adhesive Indian postage stamps, being dated 1853. On arrival, first at MADRAS, where it was stamped with a black despatch stamp "MADRAS / date / Bearing", showing 6 annas due on arrival at BELLARY, where it was again readdressed, and the "BALLARY / date / Bearing" despatch stamp was added, both these being on the back of the cover. The letter was then redirected to SHOLAPOOR, where, on arrival, it was stamped in blue handstamp.

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About this mark

The Bellary HG 10 handstamp

Ballary (later spelled Bellary) the seventh largest town in the Madras Presidency, became a large military station, but contained little but a fort, until the British built a cantonment. The fort was in possession of Mysore until 1792, when, with other territories of Tipu, it was given to the Nizam, who ceded it to the British in 1800. It is situated 15°9' N and 76°51' E .

Bellary HG 10 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of the post office at Bellary — the present-day Ballari — in the Madras Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1842 to 1858. Known strikes are in black. It is listed in 1989 Catalogue, where each marking of British India is assigned a figure number — hence "HG 10".

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 "Common" — the grade moves automatically as new covers are recorded. Collectors searching for bellary pre stamp covers, bellary postal history or "Bellary HG10" material can compare HG 10 across every office or browse the rest of the Bellary marks.

Frequently asked

What is the Bellary HG 10 handstamp?: Bellary HG 10 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Bellary (modern Ballari) in the Madras Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1842 to 1858. The "HG 10" 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 Bellary HG 10?: Bellary HG 10 is graded "Common" 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 Bellary pre stamp cover with HG 10 look like?: A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Bellary 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 10. 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 Bellary HG 10 cover?: Compare your cover against the reference impression and recorded examples on this page — check the mark's shape, colour and date range (1842–1858). 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 Bellary

12 marks

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

View all Bellary 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: Bellary HG 10, Bellary HG10, Bellary Giles 10, Ballari postal history, Bellary handstamp, Bellary pre stamp cover.

How to cite

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

Updated: 10 Aug 2026