North Western Provinces · Pre-1854 Handstamp
Allyghur HG 4
- Date Span
- 1838-51
- Colour
- Red
- Rarity
- Common
- Catalogue
- 1989 Catalogue · p. 14
- Figure
- 4
- Submitted by
- D. Hammond Giles
Census
Census records
3 covers recorded3 pre-1854 covers bearing the Allyghur HG 4 handstamp are recorded below — each entry links to images, provenance and auction details.
About this mark
The Allyghur HG 4 handstamp
Allyghur is situated 27°53' N and 78°4' E, in the United Provinces 876 miles from Calcutta and 904 from Bombay. The native city is generally called "Coel" or "Koi l", Allyghur being strictly the name of the fort beyond the civil station.
Allyghur HG 4 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of the post office at Allyghur — the present-day Aligarh — in the North Western Provinces, British India, in recorded use from 1838 to 1851. 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".
3 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 allyghur pre stamp covers, allyghur postal history or "Allyghur HG4" material can compare HG 4 across every office or browse the rest of the Allyghur marks.
Frequently asked
- What is the Allyghur HG 4 handstamp?
- Allyghur HG 4 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Allyghur (modern Aligarh) in the North Western Provinces, British India, in recorded use from 1838 to 1851. 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 Allyghur HG 4?
- Allyghur 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. 3 surviving covers bearing this mark are recorded in the census, each with images and provenance.
- What does an Allyghur pre stamp cover with HG 4 look like?
- A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Allyghur 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. 3 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 Allyghur 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 (1838-51). 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 Allyghur
7 marks7 other pre-1854 postal markings of Allyghur are recorded in the census. Compare their figure numbers, dates and colours to identify the mark on your cover.
Suggest a correction
Spotted a wrong date, colour or rarity? Propose a change — every suggestion is reviewed before it is applied.
Also searched as: Allyghur HG 4, Allyghur HG4, Allyghur Giles 4, Aligarh postal history, Allyghur handstamp, Allyghur pre stamp cover.
How to cite
“Allyghur HG 4 — handstamp,” Hand Struck Stamps, https://handstruckstampsindia.com/n-w-provinces/allyghur/hg-4 (accessed 10 August 2026).
Updated: 10 Aug 2026