What is the Allahabad HG 4b handstamp?

Allahabad HG 4b is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Allahabad (modern Prayagraj) in the North Western Provinces, British India, in recorded use from 1843 to 1844. The "HG 4b" 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 Allahabad HG 4b?

Allahabad HG 4b is graded "Common" in this census. Rarity here is evidence-based: it is derived from the number of surviving covers actually recorded, not estimated. 6 surviving covers bearing this mark are recorded in the census, each with images and provenance.

What does an Allahabad pre stamp cover with HG 4b look like?

A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Allahabad 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 4b. 6 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 Allahabad HG 4b cover?

Compare your cover against the reference impression and recorded examples on this page — check the mark's shape, colour and date range (1843-44). 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

Allahabad HG 4b

Handstamp All India common handstamp

Date Span: 1843-44
Colour: Red
Rarity: Common
Catalogue: 1993 Supplement · p. 4
Figure: 4b
Submitted by: D. Hammond Giles

← HG 4a All Allahabad HG 5 →

Census

Census records

6 covers recorded

6 pre-1854 covers bearing the Allahabad HG 4b handstamp are recorded below — each entry links to images, provenance and auction details.

COV-4122

30 August 1838

Rare Allahabad free handstamp with 'Allahabad', "Year", 'Month', 'Date' and 'Free' being in the handstamp in red color itself posted from Allahabad to Fatehgarh on 1838 August 30 with free of postage

COV-3068

18 October 1843

COV-3481

13 November 1844

1844-57, seven entires, including 1844 Soldier's letter to England (with interesting contents lamenting that the sender had joined the East India Company), 1859 to Elgin with red framed Madras/G.P.O. datestamp, 1854 from Calcutta to Glasgow with oval "forwarded by/gladstone wyllie/calcutta" forwarding agent's cachet on reverse, 1856 to Jersey with red framed "india" on the front, 1856 Soldier's letter to England charged 2d. on arrival, 1857 envelope from Belgaum to Jersey franked 1a., 1857 envelope to London franked 4a. cut-to-shape, etc.; mixed condition

COV-1373

22 December 1844

1844 ALLAHABAD FREE Giles 4b (late usage) on fl to London via Calcutta and Southampton, with boxed G.P.O. Giles G14, oval INDIA and London arrival

COV-1523

18?? ALLAHABAD FREE Giles 4b on native cover inscribed Service to Rajah Bishwanath Singh Bahadur of Rewah

COV-4242

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About this mark

The Allahabad HG 4b handstamp

Allahabad is situated 25°26' N and 81°50' E, on the left bank of the River Jumna, on a wedge of land formed by its confluence with the Ganges. Headquarters for the District and, in the 19th Century, was the seat of Government in the United Provinces_

Allahabad HG 4b is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of the post office at Allahabad — the present-day Prayagraj — in the North Western Provinces, British India, in recorded use from 1843 to 1844. Known strikes are in red. It is listed in 1993 Supplement, where each marking of British India is assigned a figure number — hence "HG 4b".

6 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 allahabad pre stamp covers, allahabad postal history or "Allahabad HG4b" material can compare HG 4b across every office or browse the rest of the Allahabad marks.

Frequently asked

What is the Allahabad HG 4b handstamp?: Allahabad HG 4b is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Allahabad (modern Prayagraj) in the North Western Provinces, British India, in recorded use from 1843 to 1844. The "HG 4b" 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 Allahabad HG 4b?: Allahabad HG 4b is graded "Common" in this census. Rarity here is evidence-based: it is derived from the number of surviving covers actually recorded, not estimated. 6 surviving covers bearing this mark are recorded in the census, each with images and provenance.
What does an Allahabad pre stamp cover with HG 4b look like?: A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Allahabad 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 4b. 6 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 Allahabad HG 4b cover?: Compare your cover against the reference impression and recorded examples on this page — check the mark's shape, colour and date range (1843-44). 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 Allahabad

14 marks

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

View all Allahabad 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: Allahabad HG 4b, Allahabad HG4b, Allahabad Giles 4b, Prayagraj postal history, Allahabad handstamp, Allahabad pre stamp cover.

How to cite

“Allahabad HG 4b — handstamp,” Hand Struck Stamps, https://handstruckstampsindia.com/n-w-provinces/allahabad/hg-4b (accessed 10 August 2026).

Updated: 10 Aug 2026