What is the Seringapatam HG 5 handstamp?

Seringapatam HG 5 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Seringapatam (modern Srirangapatna) in the Madras Presidency, British India, recorded in use around 1837. 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 Seringapatam HG 5?

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

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

A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Seringapatam 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. 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 Seringapatam 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 (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.

Madras Presidency · Pre-1854 Handstamp

Seringapatam HG 5

Handstamp Mysore State

Date Span: 1837
Colour: Red
Rarity: Common
Catalogue: 1989 Catalogue · p. 189
Figure: 5
Submitted by: D. Hammond Giles

← HG 4 All Seringapatam HG 6 →

Census

Census records

1 cover recorded

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

COV-533

3 July 1837

Compare HG 5 across every office →

About this mark

The Seringapatam HG 5 handstamp

Seringapatam (Srirangapattana) is in Mysore District, on an island in the Cauvery, 10 miles north-east of Mysore, situated 12°25' N and 76°42' E. Haidar Ali took possession of the place in 1761, and withstood sieges of the Marathas in 1771. The British made two sieges in 1792 and 1799. Tipu Sultan submitted to the terms imposed in 1792, but prolonged resistance in 1799, until it was stormed and he lost his life. Seringapatam then became the property of the British, who leased it to Mysore for Rs.50,000 per annum.

Seringapatam HG 5 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of the post office at Seringapatam — the present-day Srirangapatna — in the Madras Presidency, British India, recorded in use around 1837. 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".

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

Frequently asked

What is the Seringapatam HG 5 handstamp?: Seringapatam HG 5 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Seringapatam (modern Srirangapatna) in the Madras Presidency, British India, recorded in use around 1837. 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 Seringapatam HG 5?: Seringapatam 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. A single surviving cover bearing this mark is recorded in the census, with images and provenance.
What does a Seringapatam pre stamp cover with HG 5 look like?: A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Seringapatam 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. 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 Seringapatam 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 (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 Seringapatam

12 marks

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

View all Seringapatam 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: Seringapatam HG 5, Seringapatam HG5, Seringapatam Giles 5, Srirangapatna postal history, Seringapatam handstamp, Seringapatam pre stamp cover.

How to cite

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

Updated: 10 Aug 2026