What is the Bellary HG 4 handstamp?

Bellary HG 4 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Bellary (modern Ballari) in the Madras Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1828 to 1837. The "HG 4" designation is its figure number in the Hammond Giles catalogue of the handstruck postage stamps of India. Known strikes are in red.

How rare is Bellary HG 4?

Bellary HG 4 is graded "Common" in this census. Rarity here is evidence-based: it is derived from the number of surviving covers actually recorded, not estimated. 5 surviving covers bearing this mark are recorded in the census, each with images and provenance.

What does a Bellary pre stamp cover with HG 4 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 4. 5 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 4 cover?

Compare your cover against the reference impression and recorded examples on this page — check the mark's shape, colour and date range (1828–1837). 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.

Bellary HG 4 — pre-1854 Indian handstamp, 1828–1837, Red

Madras Presidency · Pre-1854 Handstamp

Bellary HG 4

Handstamp

Colour & date: Red1828–1837
Rarity: Common
Catalogue: 1989 Catalogue · p. 21
Figure: 4
Submitted by: D. Hammond Giles

← HG 3 All Bellary HG 5 →

Census

Census records

5 covers recorded

5 pre-1854 covers bearing the Bellary HG 4 handstamp are recorded below — each entry links to images, provenance and auction details.

COV-2186

24 June 1833

COV-2197

3 December 1833

BELLARY/BERHAMPORE - FRAMED “POST PAID” MARKS IN RED OR BLACK ON INDIA LETTERS; Fine 3 Dec. 1833 EL to Scotland with v. fine framed red “BELLARY/POST PAID” (HG4) nicely placed on the front and v. fine large double-oval Madras S Lre d.s. on the top flap beside a boxed “INDIA LETTER/PLYMOUTH”; plus 19/20 Aug. 1820 EL to Devon with v. fine oval-framed “BERHAMPORE/Post Paid” (HG3; early type - just touched by closed seal tear) nicely placed on the top flap with a partial boxed ?Margate India Letter on the front. (2 covers) PHOTO - see page 31.

COV-3814

3 December 1833

Entire posted from Bellary to North Britain with capsule "Bellary / Post Paid" HG4 hanc stamp in red along with "Out Station/ Madras / 7 Dec 7 / 1833/ Ship Letter" SD11 Madras handstamp in black color along with martime " India Letter Plymouth" handstamp in black posted on 3rd December 1833 with 11 annas inland postage paid.

COV-3464

13 April 1835

Entire posted from Bellary to Leeds, Yorkshire in Englan on 13th April 1835. As indicated in the manuscript "Dol Postage Paid to Madras 1 Rupee 2 Annas" with Bellary HG4 handstamp "Bellary PostPaid" in red along with Si "Outstation Madras ShipLetter" in black was applied or 17th April 1835. On arrival at London on 19th Septemb 1835 Maritime handstamp of "India Letter Portsmouth" was applied in black along with other London transit marks and postage due of 2 Shillings 8d was collected.

COV-939

16 April 1835

Compare HG 4 across every office →

About this mark

The Bellary HG 4 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 4 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 1828 to 1837. Known strikes are in red. It is listed in 1989 Catalogue, where each marking of British India is assigned a figure number — hence "HG 4".

5 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 HG4" material can compare HG 4 across every office or browse the rest of the Bellary marks.

Frequently asked

What is the Bellary HG 4 handstamp?: Bellary HG 4 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Bellary (modern Ballari) in the Madras Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1828 to 1837. The "HG 4" designation is its figure number in the Hammond Giles catalogue of the handstruck postage stamps of India. Known strikes are in red.
How rare is Bellary HG 4?: Bellary HG 4 is graded "Common" in this census. Rarity here is evidence-based: it is derived from the number of surviving covers actually recorded, not estimated. 5 surviving covers bearing this mark are recorded in the census, each with images and provenance.
What does a Bellary pre stamp cover with HG 4 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 4. 5 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 4 cover?: Compare your cover against the reference impression and recorded examples on this page — check the mark's shape, colour and date range (1828–1837). 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 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 4, Bellary HG4, Bellary Giles 4, Ballari postal history, Bellary handstamp, Bellary pre stamp cover.

How to cite

“Bellary HG 4 — handstamp,” Hand Struck Stamps, https://handstruckstampsindia.com/madras/bellary/hg-4 (accessed 10 August 2026).

Updated: 10 Aug 2026