What is the Secunderabad HG 4 handstamp?

Secunderabad HG 4 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Secunderabad in the Madras Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1854 to 1856. 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 Secunderabad HG 4?

Secunderabad 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. A single surviving cover bearing this mark is recorded in the census, with images and provenance.

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

A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Secunderabad 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 Secunderabad 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 (1854-56). 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

Secunderabad HG 4

Handstamp Hyderabad State

Date Span: 1854-56
Colour: Red
Rarity: Common
Catalogue: 1989 Catalogue · p. 187
Figure: 4
Submitted by: D. Hammond Giles

← HG 3 All Secunderabad HG 5 →

Census

Census records

1 cover recorded

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

COV-4214

26 November 1854

1854 (Nov 26) / 1855 (Apr 28) Two letters bearing (on back and front respectively) single and two ½a stamps (S.G. 4, die I) tied by mute dotted lozenge of Secunderabad. One letter to Jaulnah (address in English and Marathi) with relatively early use of the ½a stamp (issued mid Sept 1854), and boxed and dated “SECUNDERABAD/Paid” and “JAULNAH/Paid” on reverse. Another letter to Madras with two wide-margined stamps next to “SECUNDERABAD/Paid” boxed pm, a bold strike of delivery mark “AM” to indicate morning delivery, and small rectangular Madras GPO arrival datestamp. An appealing and scarce pair of early Secunderabad mail with addresses in English and Farsi/Marathi.

Compare HG 4 across every office →

About this mark

The Secunderabad HG 4 handstamp

Secunderabad was a British cantonment in the Hyderabad State, 6 miles from Hyderabad City, situated 1r27' N and 78°30' E. British troops formerly stationed here were known as the Subsidiary Force, paid for by revenue from districts ceded by the Nizam under the Treaty of 1800.... "

Secunderabad HG 4 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of the post office at Secunderabad in the Madras Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1854 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 4".

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

Frequently asked

What is the Secunderabad HG 4 handstamp?: Secunderabad HG 4 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Secunderabad in the Madras Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1854 to 1856. 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 Secunderabad HG 4?: Secunderabad 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. A single surviving cover bearing this mark is recorded in the census, with images and provenance.
What does a Secunderabad pre stamp cover with HG 4 look like?: A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Secunderabad 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 Secunderabad 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 (1854-56). 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 Secunderabad

6 marks

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

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

How to cite

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

Updated: 10 Aug 2026