How rare is Masulipatam HG 5A?

Masulipatam HG 5A 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 Masulipatam pre stamp cover with HG 5A look like?

A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Masulipatam 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 5A. 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 Masulipatam HG 5A cover?

Compare your cover against the reference impression and recorded examples on this page — check the mark's shape, colour and date range (1825). 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

Masulipatam HG 5A

Colour & date: 1825
Rarity: 1 example recorded
Figure: 5A
Submitted by: robert siegel auctions

← HG 5 All Masulipatam HG 6 →

Census

Census records

1 cover recorded

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

COV-474

26 January 1825

India, Masulipatam, 1825, "MASULIPATAM/BEARING" Oval Handstamp (Giles Unrecorded). Partially complete strike with manuscript ''A 10" rate and "26 Jany 1825" date added on back of folded letter to Col. Pepper in Madras, Madras (Jan. 30) arrival backstamp, Fine, a scarce strike which is unlisted in Giles

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About this mark

The Masulipatam HG 5A handstamp

Masulipatam is situated 16°11' N and 81° 8' E, in Kistna District, Madras Presidency, on the Bay of Bengal, 215 miles from Madras. The English traded there as early as 1611, and later established a factory there. In 1686 the Dutch tried to interfere with this trading, but the Moghul emperor granted the Madras GoverI)ment a farman to continue trading there. In 1750, Masulipatam was seized by the French, but recaptured in 1759, and under a treaty signed in May 1759 Masulipatam and the adjacent territory passed to the Company.

Masulipatam HG 5A is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of the post office at Masulipatam — the present-day Machilipatnam — in the Madras Presidency, British India, recorded in use around 1825. Its "HG 5A" 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 masulipatam pre stamp covers, masulipatam postal history or "Masulipatam HG5A" material can compare HG 5A across every office or browse the rest of the Masulipatam marks.

Frequently asked

What is the Masulipatam HG 5A handstamp?: Masulipatam HG 5A is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Masulipatam (modern Machilipatnam) in the Madras Presidency, British India, recorded in use around 1825. The "HG 5A" designation is its figure number in the Hammond Giles catalogue of the handstruck postage stamps of India.
How rare is Masulipatam HG 5A?: Masulipatam HG 5A 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 Masulipatam pre stamp cover with HG 5A look like?: A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Masulipatam 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 5A. 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 Masulipatam HG 5A cover?: Compare your cover against the reference impression and recorded examples on this page — check the mark's shape, colour and date range (1825). 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 Masulipatam

12 marks

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

View all Masulipatam marks and postal history →

Suggest a correction

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Also searched as: Masulipatam HG 5A, Masulipatam HG5A, Masulipatam Giles 5A, Machilipatnam postal history, Masulipatam handstamp, Masulipatam pre stamp cover.

How to cite

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

Updated: 10 Aug 2026