What is the Benares HG 17 handstamp?

Benares HG 17 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Benares (modern Varanasi) in the North Western Provinces, British India, recorded in use around 1854. 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 Benares HG 17?

Benares 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. 2 surviving covers bearing this mark are recorded in the census, each with images and provenance.

What does a Benares pre stamp cover with HG 17 look like?

A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Benares 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. 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 a Benares 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 (1854). 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

Benares HG 17

Handstamp All India common handstamp

Date Span: 1854
Colour: Red
Rarity: Common
Catalogue: 1993 Supplement · p. 8
Figure: 17
Submitted by: D. Hammond Giles

← HG 16 All Benares HG 18 →

Census

Census records

2 covers recorded

2 pre-1854 covers bearing the Benares HG 17 handstamp are recorded below — each entry links to images, provenance and auction details.

COV-3566

14 August 1853

1853 pre-stamp entire with ``BENARES/AUG 15 1853/PAID`` & ``GHAZEEPORE/ 14 Aug 53/PAID ½a`` in red box cachets at back used from Ghazeepur to Benares

COV-1254

1854

1854 BENARAS Paid HG 17 on cover to New York via Calcutta sent by British Packet

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About this mark

The Benares HG 17 handstamp

Benares, with its cantonment, is situated 25°18' N, and 83°1' E, on the left bank of the Ganges River in the United Provinces. It was ruled by the Nawab of Oudh until 1776, when he ceded it to the British. Scene of serious disorders in the uprising in 1857.

Benares HG 17 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of the post office at Benares — the present-day Varanasi — in the North Western Provinces, British India, recorded in use around 1854. Known strikes are in red. It is listed in 1993 Supplement, where each marking of British India is assigned a figure number — hence "HG 17".

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

Frequently asked

What is the Benares HG 17 handstamp?: Benares HG 17 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Benares (modern Varanasi) in the North Western Provinces, British India, recorded in use around 1854. 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 Benares HG 17?: Benares 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. 2 surviving covers bearing this mark are recorded in the census, each with images and provenance.
What does a Benares pre stamp cover with HG 17 look like?: A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Benares 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. 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 a Benares 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 (1854). 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 Benares

18 marks

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

View all Benares 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: Benares HG 17, Benares HG17, Benares Giles 17, Varanasi postal history, Benares handstamp, Benares pre stamp cover.

How to cite

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

Updated: 10 Aug 2026