What is the Hyderabad HG 4 handstamp?

Hyderabad HG 4 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Hyderabad in the Madras Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1832 to 1837. The "HG 4" designation is its figure number in the Hammond Giles catalogue of the handstruck postage stamps of India. Known strikes occur in black and red.

How rare is Hyderabad HG 4?

Hyderabad 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. 9 surviving covers bearing this mark are recorded in the census, each with images and provenance.

What does a Hyderabad pre stamp cover with HG 4 look like?

A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Hyderabad 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. 9 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 Hyderabad 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 (1832–1837). 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.

Hyderabad HG 4 — pre-1854 Indian handstamp, 1832–1837, Black

Madras Presidency · Pre-1854 Handstamp

Hyderabad HG 4

Handstamp Hyderabad State

Colours & dates: Black1832–1837
Red1832–1837
Rarity: Common
Catalogue: 1989 Catalogue · p. 104
Figure: 4
Submitted by: D. Hammond Giles

← HG 3 All Hyderabad HG 5 →

Census

Census records

9 covers recorded

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

COV-3853

23 March 1832

India 1832 prestamp cover from Hyderabad to Mysore with rare "HYDERABAD PtPd" postmark - Giles #4

COV-901

25 April 1832

1832 Hyderabad, two pre stamp covers showcasing the “HYDERABAD pt pd” circular mark for two different dates 25 April 1832 and 30 June 1832. An excellent set on exhibit pages. Both fine. .

COV-883

26 May 1832

1832 (May 26, July 27) Two entire letters from Hyderabad to Reading, UK, bearing circular “HYDERABAD/pt pd 18” postmarks struck on reverse, in red and blue respectively. Also showing manuscript rate calculations and perfectly struck oval “OUT STATION MADRAS SHIP LETTER” pm. On front “INDIA LETTER DEVONPORT” and “INDIA LETTER PORTSMOUTH”, 1s 3d and 1s 1d rate notations. An appealing duo showing very clear strikes of the circular Hyderabad in two colours.

COV-882

27 July 1832

Description 1832 (May 26, July 27) Two entire letters from Hyderabad to Reading, UK, bearing circular “HYDERABAD/pt pd 18” postmarks struck on reverse, in red and blue respectively. Also showing manuscript rate calculations and perfectly struck oval “OUT STATION MADRAS SHIP LETTER” pm. On front “INDIA LETTER DEVONPORT” and “INDIA LETTER PORTSMOUTH”, 1s 3d and 1s 1d rate notations. An appealing duo showing very clear strikes of the circular Hyderabad in two colours.

COV-643

15 March 1833

"HYDERABAD/ptpd/18__" Circular Handstamp (Giles 4). Faint but clear strike.

COV-419

9 April 1834

India, Hyderabad, 1834, "HYDERABAD/pt pd/18__" Circular Handstamp (Giles 4). Faint but complete strike with manuscript "1 R 10 As" rate and "9th April (18) 34" date added with "Inland Postage 10 As, Overland R 1" rate calculation beside on back of folded letter datelined Hingolee Apr. 5, 1834, addressed to Stromness, Orkney, Scotland, sender's directive "Pr Steamer Conveyance" , framed "INDIA LETTER/BRIGHTON" handstamp (Robertson In. 1), Madras Out Station (Apr. 15), London (Dec. 4) and Dec. 8 transit backstamps, framed "1/2" handstamp and manuscript rate markings, faint vertical file fold just affecting Hyderabad strike, otherwise Very Fine

COV-3403

1 November 1834

COV-4190

30 May 1836

1836 : H.G. 7: The letter posted from HYDERABAD [30 May] reached NASSICK via POONA Postage prepaid up to NASSICK via POONA was 7 as. As Postage was prepaid at HYDERABAD, POONA applied red stamp of post paid. However, surprisingly HYDERABAD used black handstamp for prepaid postage.

COV-1177

27 July 1837

Hyderabad POST FREE rare HG 6 in pink along with Hyderabad ptpd HG 4 in black on 1837 fl to London

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About this mark

The Hyderabad HG 4 handstamp

Hyderabad, Capital of Hyderabad State, or the Nizam's Dominions, is situated 17°22' N and 78°27' E, on the right bank of the Musi River. The house of the Nizams was founded by Asaf Jah, a distinguished general of Aurungzeb, in 1713, when he became the viceroy of the Deccan. A treaty was signed in 1768 between the Nizam and the East India Company for both an offensive and defensive alliance.

Hyderabad HG 4 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of the post office at Hyderabad in the Madras Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1832 to 1837. Known strikes occur in black and red. It is listed in 1989 Catalogue, where each marking of British India is assigned a figure number — hence "HG 4".

9 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 hyderabad pre stamp covers, hyderabad postal history or "Hyderabad HG4" material can compare HG 4 across every office or browse the rest of the Hyderabad marks.

Frequently asked

What is the Hyderabad HG 4 handstamp?: Hyderabad HG 4 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Hyderabad in the Madras Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1832 to 1837. The "HG 4" designation is its figure number in the Hammond Giles catalogue of the handstruck postage stamps of India. Known strikes occur in black and red.
How rare is Hyderabad HG 4?: Hyderabad 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. 9 surviving covers bearing this mark are recorded in the census, each with images and provenance.
What does a Hyderabad pre stamp cover with HG 4 look like?: A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Hyderabad 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. 9 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 Hyderabad 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 (1832–1837). 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 Hyderabad

9 marks

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

View all Hyderabad marks and postal history →

Suggest a correction

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Also searched as: Hyderabad HG 4, Hyderabad HG4, Hyderabad Giles 4, Hyderabad handstamp, Hyderabad pre stamp cover.

How to cite

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

Updated: 10 Aug 2026