North Western Provinces · Pre-1854 Handstamp
Azimgurh HG 4
- Date Span
- 1840-43
- Colour
- Red
- Rarity
- Common
- Catalogue
- 1989 Catalogue · p. 19
- Figure
- 4
- Submitted by
- D. Hammond Giles
Census
Census records
0 covers recordedNo pre stamp cover bearing the Azimgurh HG 4 handstamp has been recorded yet. If you hold one, submit it below.
No covers bearing this mark have been recorded yet. If you hold one, your submission — once reviewed — will appear here.
About this mark
The Azimgurh HG 4 handstamp
Headquarters of the Azimgurh District, situated 26°5' N and 83°12' E in the United Provinces, founded in 1665 by Azim Khan. The ruins of a fort built by him and a temple are the only buildings of any age.
Azimgurh HG 4 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of the post office at Azimgurh — the present-day Azamgarh — in the North Western Provinces, British India, in recorded use from 1840 to 1843. 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".
No surviving cover bearing this mark has been recorded in the census yet — if you hold one, it may be the first recorded example. On the strength of that count the mark is graded "Common" — the grade moves automatically as new covers are recorded. Collectors searching for azimgurh pre stamp covers, azimgurh postal history or "Azimgurh HG4" material can compare HG 4 across every office or browse the rest of the Azimgurh marks.
Frequently asked
- What is the Azimgurh HG 4 handstamp?
- Azimgurh HG 4 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Azimgurh (modern Azamgarh) in the North Western Provinces, British India, in recorded use from 1840 to 1843. 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 Azimgurh HG 4?
- Azimgurh 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. No surviving cover bearing this mark has been recorded in the census yet — if you hold one, it may be the first recorded example.
- What does an Azimgurh pre stamp cover with HG 4 look like?
- A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Azimgurh 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. No surviving cover bearing this mark has been recorded in the census yet — if you hold one, it may be the first recorded example. Each census record on this page links to full cover images, dates and auction provenance.
- How do I identify or submit an Azimgurh 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 (1840-43). 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 Azimgurh
4 marks4 other pre-1854 postal markings of Azimgurh 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: Azimgurh HG 4, Azimgurh HG4, Azimgurh Giles 4, Azamgarh postal history, Azimgurh handstamp, Azimgurh pre stamp cover.
How to cite
“Azimgurh HG 4 — handstamp,” Hand Struck Stamps, https://handstruckstampsindia.com/n-w-provinces/azimgurh/hg-4 (accessed 10 August 2026).
Updated: 10 Aug 2026