What is the Agra HG 17 handstamp?

Agra HG 17 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Agra in the North Western Provinces, British India, in recorded use from 1851 to 1853. The "HG 17" 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 17?

Agra HG 17 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 an Agra pre stamp cover with HG 17 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 17. 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 an Agra HG 17 cover?

Compare your cover against the reference impression and recorded examples on this page — check the mark's shape, colour and date range (1851–1853). 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.

North Western Provinces · Pre-1854 Handstamp

Agra HG 17

Handstamp Ex-territorial British All India common handstamp

Colour & date: Red1851–1853
Rarity: Common
Catalogue: 2000 Supplement · p. 3
Figure: 17
Submitted by: D. Hammond Giles

← HG 16 All Agra HG 18 →

Census

Census records

1 cover recorded

1 pre-1854 cover bearing the Agra HG 17 handstamp is recorded below — each entry links to images, provenance and auction details.

COV-2942

23 November 1851

Compare HG 17 across every office →

About this mark

The Agra HG 17 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 17 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of the post office at Agra in the North Western Provinces, British India, in recorded use from 1851 to 1853. Known strikes are in red. It is listed in 2000 Supplement, where each marking of British India is assigned a figure number — hence "HG 17".

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 agra pre stamp covers, agra postal history or "Agra HG17" material can compare HG 17 across every office or browse the rest of the Agra marks.

Frequently asked

What is the Agra HG 17 handstamp?: Agra HG 17 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Agra in the North Western Provinces, British India, in recorded use from 1851 to 1853. The "HG 17" 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 17?: Agra HG 17 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 an Agra pre stamp cover with HG 17 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 17. 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 an Agra HG 17 cover?: Compare your cover against the reference impression and recorded examples on this page — check the mark's shape, colour and date range (1851–1853). 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 17, Agra HG17, Agra Giles 17, Agra handstamp, Agra pre stamp cover.

How to cite

“Agra HG 17 — handstamp,” Hand Struck Stamps, https://handstruckstampsindia.com/n-w-provinces/agra/hg-17 (accessed 10 August 2026).

Updated: 10 Aug 2026