What is the Agra HG 10 handstamp?

Agra HG 10 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Agra in the North Western Provinces, British India, recorded in use around 1844. The "HG 10" 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 Agra HG 10?

Agra HG 10 is graded "Common" in this census. Rarity here is evidence-based: it is derived from the number of surviving covers actually recorded, not estimated. 2 surviving covers bearing this mark are recorded in the census, each with images and provenance.

What does an Agra pre stamp cover with HG 10 look like?

A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Agra 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 10. 2 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 an Agra HG 10 cover?

Compare your cover against the reference impression and recorded examples on this page — check the mark's shape, colour and date range (1844). 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.

Agra HG 10 — pre-1854 Indian handstamp, 1844, Red

North Western Provinces · Pre-1854 Handstamp

Agra HG 10

Handstamp Ex-territorial British All India common handstamp

Colour & date: Red1844
Rarity: Common
Note: "AGRA" close setting
Catalogue: 1989 Catalogue · p. 11
Figure: 10
Submitted by: D. Hammond Giles

← HG 9 All Agra HG 11 →

Census

Census records

2 covers recorded

2 pre-1854 covers bearing the Agra HG 10 handstamp are recorded below — each entry links to images, provenance and auction details.

COV-4226

1844

India 1844 Entire Letter from Agra to Cloughjordan, Ireland, sent by a soldier in the 1st Battalion Artillery, featuring a manuscript '2' rate mark and oval 'INDIA' handstamp.

COV-769

6 February 1844

1844 : H.G. 10: A letter from AGRA to CALCUTTA, dated 6 February. The letter inside does not give a clue as to why the writer was entitled to send the letter postage free. AGRA was captured by Lord Lake in 1803 from Maratha's and it became the seat of Government in 1835 when Presidency of AGRA was founded. Prior to 1835, a Ex-territorial Post Office was in existance in AGRA.

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About this mark

The Agra HG 10 handstamp

Administrative headquarters of Agra District, United Provinces, situated in 27°10' N and 78°5' E, on the right bank of the River Jumna, 843 miles from Calcutta and 839 miles from Bombay. Former residence of the Lodi Kings, and then the Mogul Emperors. Captured from the Marathas in 1803 by Lord Lake, and became the seat of Government when the Presidency of Agra was founded in 1835. Previous to 1835, an ex-territorial Post Office was established in Agra — 1823, or, possibly, earlier. Agra is a city on the banks of the Yamuna in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, about 230 km south-east of Delhi. It is best known as the home of the Taj Mahal, and was the capital of the Mughal Empire under several emperors.

Agra HG 10 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of the post office at Agra in the North Western Provinces, British India, recorded in use around 1844. Known strikes are in red. It is listed in 1989 Catalogue, where each marking of British India is assigned a figure number — hence "HG 10".

2 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 agra pre stamp covers, agra postal history or "Agra HG10" material can compare HG 10 across every office or browse the rest of the Agra marks.

"AGRA" close setting

Frequently asked

What is the Agra HG 10 handstamp?: Agra HG 10 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Agra in the North Western Provinces, British India, recorded in use around 1844. The "HG 10" 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 Agra HG 10?: Agra HG 10 is graded "Common" in this census. Rarity here is evidence-based: it is derived from the number of surviving covers actually recorded, not estimated. 2 surviving covers bearing this mark are recorded in the census, each with images and provenance.
What does an Agra pre stamp cover with HG 10 look like?: A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Agra 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 10. 2 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 an Agra HG 10 cover?: Compare your cover against the reference impression and recorded examples on this page — check the mark's shape, colour and date range (1844). 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 Agra

21 marks

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

View all Agra 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: Agra HG 10, Agra HG10, Agra Giles 10, Agra handstamp, Agra pre stamp cover.

How to cite

“Agra HG 10 — handstamp,” Hand Struck Stamps, https://handstruckstampsindia.com/n-w-provinces/agra/hg-10 (accessed 10 August 2026).

Updated: 10 Aug 2026