What is the Camp HG 4 handstamp?

Camp HG 4 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Camp in the Madras Presidency, British India, recorded in use around 1815. The "HG 4" 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 Camp HG 4?

Camp HG 4 has 1 example recorded 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 Camp pre stamp cover with HG 4 look like?

A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Camp 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. 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 Camp 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 (1815). 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

Camp HG 4

Handstamp

Colour & date: Black1815
Rarity: 1 example recorded
Figure: 4
Submitted by: siegelauctions

← HG 3 All Camp MN 1 →

Census

Census records

1 cover recorded

1 pre-1854 cover bearing the Camp HG 4 handstamp is recorded below — each entry links to images, provenance and auction details.

COV-2937

1815

India, Nepal, 1815 Anglo-Nepalese War Folded Letters from Lt. Col. T. Chamberlain to Colonel Doyle. Two covers datelined at Camp Baragari, with manuscript "Service", countersigned Lt. Col. T. Chamberlain, and addressed "To the Military Secretary of his Excellency, the Governor General, Head Quarters", first dated Feb. 3, 1815 with bold "Camp P.O" straightline handstamp, second dated Feb. 28, 1815 with clear strike of "C.P.O." straightline handstamp, neither of which have previously been recorded, Very Fine and remarkable pair of covers, the Anglo-Nepalese War (Gurkha War) between the East India Company and Kingdom of Nepal lasted from November 1, 1814 to March 4, 1816, Lt. Col. Chamberlain commanded the 24th Regiment (South Wales Borderers), accompanied by 1962 letter from the B.P.A. signed by Robson Lowe declining opinion of handstamps as "these have not been previously chronicled" but "find no reason to be suspicious of their authenticity", additionally accompanied by 1963 forensic letter determining "that forgery could reasonably be ruled out"

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About this mark

The Camp HG 4 handstamp

"Camp" markings were used at temporary, travelling field post offices that accompanied military columns and touring officials in the Madras Presidency, rather than at a fixed town.

Camp HG 4 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of the post office at Camp in the Madras Presidency, British India, recorded in use around 1815. Known strikes are in black. Its "HG 4" designation is the figure number assigned in the Hammond Giles catalogue of the handstruck postage stamps of India.

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 "1 example recorded" — the grade moves automatically as new covers are recorded. Collectors searching for camp pre stamp covers, camp postal history or "Camp HG4" material can compare HG 4 across every office or browse the rest of the Camp marks.

Frequently asked

What is the Camp HG 4 handstamp?: Camp HG 4 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Camp in the Madras Presidency, British India, recorded in use around 1815. The "HG 4" 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 Camp HG 4?: Camp HG 4 has 1 example recorded 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 Camp pre stamp cover with HG 4 look like?: A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Camp 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. 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 Camp 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 (1815). 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 Camp

7 marks

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

View all Camp 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: Camp HG 4, Camp HG4, Camp Giles 4, Camp handstamp, Camp pre stamp cover.

How to cite

“Camp HG 4 — handstamp,” Hand Struck Stamps, https://handstruckstampsindia.com/madras/camp/hg-4 (accessed 24 July 2026).

Updated: 24 Jul 2026