What is the Mount HG 5 handstamp?

Mount HG 5 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Mount in the Madras Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1838 to 1856. The "HG 5" 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 Mount HG 5?

Mount HG 5 is graded "Common" in this census. Rarity here is evidence-based: it is derived from the number of surviving covers actually recorded, not estimated. 3 surviving covers bearing this mark are recorded in the census, each with images and provenance.

What does a Mount pre stamp cover with HG 5 look like?

A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Mount 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 5. 3 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 Mount HG 5 cover?

Compare your cover against the reference impression and recorded examples on this page — check the mark's shape, colour and date range (1838–1856). 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.

Mount HG 5 — pre-1854 Indian handstamp, 1838–1856, Red

Madras Presidency · Pre-1854 Handstamp

Mount HG 5

Handstamp

Colour & date: Red1838–1856
Rarity: Common
Catalogue: 1989 Catalogue · p. 146
Figure: 5
Submitted by: D. Hammond Giles

← HG 4 All Mount HG 6 →

Census

Census records

3 covers recorded

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

COV-284

1838

India, Mount (St. Thomas's Mount), 1838, "ST. THO' MOUNT/1838 January 25/Paid" Framed Datestamp (Giles 5). Bold and complete strike in red with manuscript "As 9" rate added on back of folded letter to Secunderabad, red Madras transit datestamp, Very Fine and choice strike, used far earlier than the date range provided in Giles (1845-56)

COV-2812

21 February 1845

COV-2532

11 January 1850

STAMPLESS MAIL TO G.B. INC. 2d CONCESSION RATE & RANGE OF BOXED "Paid" MARKS (CANNANORE x 2, ETC.); 1844-58 E/ELs inc. 1848 env. at Soldier's Concession Rate with mainly fine red oval "CAWNPOOR/FREE" ds, 1844 pair with "CANNANORE/Paid" (one overstruck), similar boxed "...Paid" ds of POONAH, SIMLA, BERHAMPORE, ST THO MOUNT & SIALKOTE. Useful group. (13 covers) Cross Reference: MILITARY - PENNY CONCESSION RATES

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About this mark

The Mount HG 5 handstamp

St Thomas's Mount is a town and cantonment in the Saidapet taluk of Chingleput District, Madras Presidency, situated 13° N and 80°12' E, 8 miles south of Madras. Figured in British history long before it was made a cantonment. In 1759, the battle of the Mount was fought between Lally and Col. Calliaud in the Franco-British wars in Southern India. Became the headquarters for the Madras Artillery in 1774.

Mount HG 5 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of the post office at Mount in the Madras Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1838 to 1856. Known strikes are in red. It is listed in 1989 Catalogue, where each marking of British India is assigned a figure number — hence "HG 5".

3 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 mount pre stamp covers, mount postal history or "Mount HG5" material can compare HG 5 across every office or browse the rest of the Mount marks.

Frequently asked

What is the Mount HG 5 handstamp?: Mount HG 5 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Mount in the Madras Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1838 to 1856. The "HG 5" 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 Mount HG 5?: Mount HG 5 is graded "Common" in this census. Rarity here is evidence-based: it is derived from the number of surviving covers actually recorded, not estimated. 3 surviving covers bearing this mark are recorded in the census, each with images and provenance.
What does a Mount pre stamp cover with HG 5 look like?: A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Mount 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 5. 3 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 Mount HG 5 cover?: Compare your cover against the reference impression and recorded examples on this page — check the mark's shape, colour and date range (1838–1856). 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 Mount

6 marks

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

View all Mount 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: Mount HG 5, Mount HG5, Mount Giles 5, Mount handstamp, Mount pre stamp cover.

How to cite

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

Updated: 10 Aug 2026